Overview

• President Trump unveiled detailed plans for the 'Golden Dome,' a nationwide missile defense system to counter threats from air, space, and hypersonic weapons.
• The project is estimated to cost $175 billion, with an initial $25 billion funding request tied to a larger $150 billion defense package currently debated in Congress.
• The Congressional Budget Office projects that the space-based components alone could cost up to $542 billion over 20 years, raising concerns about long-term affordability.
• China has condemned the plan, warning it could destabilize global strategic balance, while Canada has expressed interest in participating financially.
• The system, intended to be operational within three years, would expand US defense capabilities beyond existing systems, but faces skepticism over its feasibility and timeline.