Trump's 'Golden Dome' Anti-Missile System Could Cost US$1.2 Trillion, CBO Report Finds

A Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimates that President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' national anti-missile defense system could cost US taxpayers approximately US$1.2 trillion over twenty years. This figure significantly exceeds Trump's initial estimate of US$175 billion for a system inspired by Israel's Iron Dome. The analysis indicates that protecting the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii would require four defensive layers, including thousands of satellites, radars, and missile installations. Space interceptors, comprising a constellation of roughly 7,800 armed satellites in low orbit, would account for about 60% of the total cost due to frequent replacement needs caused by atmospheric drag. Despite the massive investment, the report concludes that adversaries like Russia and China could potentially overwhelm the system with their large nuclear arsenals, allowing some missiles to reach their targets. Experts note that while the system aims to counter precision-guided conventional weapons, no defense can guarantee total protection. The project was initiated by a presidential decree in January 2025, aiming to shield critical assets and prevent strategic attacks without triggering nuclear retaliation.