President Donald Trump has officially launched the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense shield, a sweeping new program aimed at countering threats from China and Russia using advanced satellite technology.
At a White House press conference Tuesday, Trump revealed that U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein will oversee the ambitious project, which he described as a top priority for U.S. defense.
“Golden Dome will protect our homeland,” Trump said, adding that Canada had expressed interest in joining. The office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney did not immediately respond.
First initiated by Trump in January, the plan centers on deploying hundreds of satellites capable of tracking and potentially intercepting missiles in real time. Modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome, Trump’s version is far more expansive — combining surveillance satellites with a separate system of offensive satellites that would target missiles just after launch.
The announcement marks the official start of the Pentagon’s push to acquire the technology, which will include missiles, sensors, systems and spacecraft from U.S. defense contractors. Trump said the project is expected to be completed before the end of his term in January 2029, with major operations based in Alaska, Florida, Georgia and Indiana.
Companies named at the briefing included L3Harris, Lockheed Martin and RTX Corp, as well as SpaceX, which has come under scrutiny due to its ties to Trump ally Elon Musk.
Democratic lawmakers have already raised concerns over the procurement process and transparency, particularly around private contractors like Palantir and Anduril, who are also competing for key roles.
Funding remains uncertain. While Republicans have proposed $25 billion in initial funding through a broader $150 billion defense bill, that money is locked in a contentious reconciliation package that faces tough negotiations in Congress.
“Unless reconciliation passes, the funds for Golden Dome may not materialize,” one industry insider said, warning the program’s timeline is now in question.
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