Donald Trump has outlined his plans for a ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system over the United States. The aim is to establish a shield capable of defending against all types of missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems, cruise missiles and nuclear-armed ballistic missiles.
The name is a nod to Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system, which protects Israeli territory against short-range rockets and projectiles, including mortar and artillery rounds.
The Golden Dome envisioned by Trump is very unlikely to be realised within the next three years
According to the plan, the US Congress is being asked to provide an initial ‘down payment’ of $25 billion, followed by an additional $175 billion over the next three years. Trump stated that the project would be completed within his current term and claimed it would protect the US homeland with a success rate ‘very close to 100 per cent.’
The most ambitious component of Golden Dome is its planned space-based interceptor system.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in