Arabic version: تكلفة نظام الدفاع الصاروخي “القبة الذهبية” لترامب ترتفع إلى 1.2 تريليون دولار

President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system is projected to cost about $1.2 tn (£882bn) over two decades, according to a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. This estimate significantly exceeds the initial budget of $175bn (£129.25bn) that was originally earmarked for the project.

The acquisition costs alone are expected to surpass $1tn, which includes expenses for interceptor layers and a space-based missile warning and tracking system. The “Golden Dome” aims to provide comprehensive protection against aerial threats, including both ballistic and cruise missiles, across the United States. According to BBC News, Trump first unveiled his plans for this ambitious defense initiative shortly after returning to the White House in January.

Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley, who requested the budget estimate, criticized the initiative, labeling it as a significant financial burden on American taxpayers and a substantial giveaway to defense contractors. The report raises concerns about the feasibility of delivering an effective defense system over such a vast area, given the capabilities of potential adversaries like Russia and China.

The Congressional Budget Office also warned that the “Golden Dome” system could be overwhelmed in the event of a large-scale attack. This follows an executive order from Trump that called for the development of a defense system to counter increasingly sophisticated aerial threats, which he described as the most catastrophic risk facing the nation.

Trump’s vision for the “Golden Dome” includes the use of next-generation technologies across land, sea, and space, with capabilities to intercept missiles launched from distant locations, including outer space. The ambitious project seeks to address the evolving complexity of threats posed by modern weaponry.