Trump's Golden Dome' Missile Defense Plan Could Cost $1.2 Trillion

"A national missile defense system like President Trump's proposed Golden Dome could cost taxpayers $1.2 trillion over 20 years, according to a government report issued on Tuesday. To protect the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii would require four separate layers of defensive assets, the analysis said, including several thousand satellites as well as a half-dozen radar and missile sites to engage intercontinental ballistic missiles and 35 new regional sites to defend against hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles."

"Even if the system is built, the report concluded, an adversary like Russia or China that has a large arsenal of nuclear weapons could overwhelm it and some missiles would hit their targets. The estimate was provided by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office using an executive order issued by Mr. Trump in January 2025 as a blueprint."

"Mr. Trump has vowed to build a defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome, with air defense capabilities that intercept rockets and missiles. He estimated that the project would cost $175 billion. The budget office report found that the space-based interceptors the president envisions satellites armed with missiles orbiting the planet would consume about 60 percent of the cost."

A national missile defense system modeled on a Golden Dome concept is estimated to cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years. Protecting the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii would require four defensive layers, including several thousand satellites and multiple radar and missile sites for intercontinental ballistic missile defense. The plan would also require 35 new regional sites to defend against hypersonic missiles and cruise missiles. Even if built, the system could be overwhelmed by adversaries with large nuclear arsenals, with some missiles still reaching targets. The estimate comes from the Congressional Budget Office using a January 2025 executive order as a blueprint. Space-based interceptors are projected to account for about 60% of the total cost.

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