Trump's ‘Golden Dome’ missile-defence proposal draws 360 company responses

President Donald Trump’s proposal for a large-scale missile defense system, known as the “Golden Dome,” has attracted over 360 proposals from various companies. The Pentagon is now reviewing these proposals to create a plan by the next fiscal year. The project is expected to be one of the biggest defense efforts in US history, with estimated costs reaching around $100 billion per year until 2030.

What is the Golden Dome Project?

On January 27, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to develop the Golden Dome missile defense system. He compared it to Israel’s Iron Dome, which protects Israel from short-range missiles, but the Golden Dome would cover the entire US, including Alaska and Hawaii. Trump also linked the project to former President Ronald Reagan’s “Star Wars” program from the 1980s, which aimed to build a space-based missile defense system but was never completed.

The goal of the Golden Dome is to protect the US from a large-scale missile attack by using advanced interception technology. The Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has been tasked with creating a detailed plan that includes technological options and funding strategies.

Air Force Lieutenant General Heath Collins, the director of the MDA, stated that the agency expects to present its plan to the White House by early April. Collins explained that the agency would start working on the project as soon as they receive final approval from the White House.

“We are ready to begin immediately once the plan is approved,” Collins said. He also mentioned that additional funding and resources would be required to execute the project.

Dov Zakheim, who served as the Pentagon’s comptroller under President George W. Bush, estimated that the Golden Dome project could cost about $100 billion annually until 2030. The high cost is due to the large size of the system, which would need to protect the entire US territory, including Alaska and Hawaii.

One of the biggest challenges is designing a system that can track and intercept missiles from land, sea, and space. The Pentagon is seeking advice from private companies to address these issues. A classified “Industry Day” was held last month, where 560 representatives from 182 companies and 13 Defense Department agencies attended.

The discussions covered topics such as:

• Improving supply chain management
• Developing advanced ground-based sensors
• Designing new satellite-based interceptors

The idea of using space-based interceptors has sparked controversy because of the technical difficulties involved. It would require developing new satellite systems and ensuring that they can respond quickly to threats.

Collins said the Pentagon has not disclosed the names of the companies involved due to security reasons. However, he confirmed that both established defense contractors and new startups have shown interest in the project.

ALSO READ: Shruti Shibulal, ex-Infosys CEO's daughter, buys ₹469 crore worth of company shares

ALSO READ: Tuhin Kanta Pandey appointed as new Sebi Chairman, succeeding Madhabi Puri Buch

Startups join the race

Ursa Major, a private aerospace startup, is part of six different teams that submitted proposals to the MDA. Dan Jablonsky, the CEO of Ursa Major, explained that the company’s Draper hypersonic engine could be a key part of the Golden Dome’s defense system.

The Draper engine uses storable liquid fuel, making it possible to keep it ready for immediate use. Jablonsky suggested that the engine could be placed on Pacific islands, ships, or land-based vehicles to allow quick responses to missile threats. He also mentioned that the engine could be stored in space for up to 10 years, where it could be used to power space-based interceptors.

Jablonsky praised the Pentagon’s quick response to Trump’s order. He said that the Pentagon’s usual process involves years of studies before any action is taken. However, this time the Pentagon is open to industry suggestions and willing to adapt its plans based on available technology.

“If a company already has a working solution, why not use it?” Jablonsky said.

The Golden Dome project would significantly expand the US’s current missile defense capabilities. The existing missile defense system is designed to intercept a small number of missiles from countries like North Korea and Iran. Since 2002, the Missile Defense Agency has spent over $194 billion on this system, including $10.4 billion in 2022 alone.

The current defense system relies mainly on ground-based interceptors and radar systems. However, the Golden Dome would require a combination of ground, sea, and space-based technology to protect the US from larger-scale attacks.

General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, compared the Golden Dome project to the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb during World War II. He said that the biggest challenge would be organizing such a large and complex effort.

“The size and complexity of this project are similar to the Manhattan Project,” Guetlein said. “We need to change how we approach missile defense to make this work.”

If successful, the Golden Dome would give the US one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world. It would strengthen the country’s defense against emerging threats from major powers like China and Russia, as well as smaller rogue states.

The project’s focus on space-based interceptors is particularly significant because it would give the US the ability to strike down missiles shortly after launch. Current missile defense systems rely on tracking and intercepting missiles during the mid-course or terminal phase, which leaves less time to respond.

By positioning interceptors in space, the Golden Dome could allow the US to respond much faster to a missile attack. This would give the US a major strategic advantage in any future conflict.

Despite the potential benefits, the Golden Dome project faces political and financial challenges. The estimated $100 billion annual cost is higher than the entire budget for many federal agencies. Convincing Congress to approve this funding will likely be difficult, especially given political divisions over defense spending.

There is also debate over whether the project is technically feasible. Critics argue that building a space-based missile defense system would require major breakthroughs in satellite technology and missile tracking systems. Additionally, deploying weapons in space could raise concerns about violating international treaties and increasing military tensions with other countries.

Supporters of the project, however, argue that the growing threat of missile attacks from countries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran justifies the cost and effort. They believe that the Golden Dome could serve as a powerful deterrent against future conflicts.

The White House expects to receive final proposals and funding plans by early April. If the project is approved, the Pentagon could begin work as early as the next fiscal year. The first phase would likely focus on developing ground-based interceptors and improving radar systems.

Collins confirmed that the Pentagon is prepared to move quickly once the final decision is made. “We have the team, the resources, and the technology to make this work,” he said.

The success of the Golden Dome will depend on how quickly the Pentagon can resolve the technical and financial challenges. If successful, the project could transform the US’s missile defense strategy and provide a new level of protection against future threats.