Congressional analysts say Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile shield could cost the United States nearly $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, more than $1 trillion of that total would go toward building the massive defence network.
The system would include interceptor missiles and a large space-based tracking network designed to detect and respond to incoming threats over long distances.
Analysts said the space-based interceptor system would be the most expensive part of the project, making up about 70 percent of acquisition costs.
That same section is also expected to account for roughly 60 percent of the programme’s total spending over two decades.
The report added that yearly operational and support costs could average around $8.3 billion.
Trump directed the Pentagon in January 2025 to begin work on the shield, which he initially called “Iron Dome for America.”
The project aims to create a defence system capable of stopping advanced missile attacks before they reach US territory.
In May 2025, Trump said $25 billion had already been allocated to the programme and estimated the total cost at $175 billion.
However, congressional analysts later warned that even a smaller space-based interceptor system alone could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion.
The Pentagon’s 2026 National Defense Strategy later expanded the project’s goals to include protection against large-scale missile attacks and advanced aerial threats.
The Golden Dome proposal highlights Washington’s increasing focus on future warfare extending beyond Earth and into space.
