The “Golden Dome” project, initiated by US president Donald Trump, represents a significant shift in America’s missile defense strategy. Designed to counter a wide range of threats including intercontinental ballistic missiles and drones, this initiative has stirred serious international concerns about global stability.
Announced on May 20, 2025, the “Golden Dome” aims to establish a missile defense shield in space. This system relies on the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS), which can track hypersonic weapons flying at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound in real time. The project’s estimated budget is approximately 175 billion dollars, underscoring its ambitious scope.
The importance of this development lies in its potential to transform missile defense capabilities. Inspired by Israel’s “Iron Dome,” the “Golden Dome” seeks to extend protective coverage on a much larger and more complex scale. However, this expansion has ignited sharp criticism from various global powers, raising questions about the militarization of space and the future of international security.
International Backlash and Geopolitical Tensions
According to Armées, the announcement of the “Golden Dome” was met with immediate criticism from North Korea, which labeled the initiative “very dangerous” and accused the United States of militarizing space. China and Russia have also expressed strong opposition, with Beijing describing the program as a threat to global stability. Moscow, while respecting US sovereignty, has called for consultations to address the issue.
In response to these rising tensions, the United States has increased its military presence in Asia. Approximately 28,500 US soldiers are stationed in South Korea, and joint military exercises between Seoul and Washington have intensified. This military buildup includes the deployment of strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, illustrating a clear escalation in the region.
Strategic and Financial Implications
The “Golden Dome” forms part of a broader arms race focused on space-based defense systems. The increasing number of military technologies deployed in Earth’s orbit marks a new phase in defense strategies. Financially, the project’s 175 billion dollar budget is significant but still less than the estimated 1 trillion dollars spent on the “Star Wars” program initiated during the Reagan administration.
The funding of the program remains subject to approval by the US Congress, which must decide on the allocation before the start of the new fiscal year in October. This decision will play a critical role in determining the project’s future trajectory.
Technological Capabilities and Objectives
Central to the “Golden Dome” is the HBTSS sensor, which can detect and track hypersonic and ballistic missiles with unprecedented speed and accuracy. This capability is essential given the increasing threat posed by weapons traveling at hypersonic velocities. As mentioned in the media source, the technology could revolutionize early-warning systems and missile interception.
By extending missile defense into space, the “Golden Dome” aims to provide the United States with a significant strategic advantage. However, this leap also raises concerns about an arms race in space, with the potential for destabilizing effects on global peace and security.
