Donald Trump reveals plans for a “gold dome” missile defense system.

On Tuesday, **May 20, 2025**, Donald Trump announced a significant development in U.S. defense policy, unveiling plans for an **anti-missile defense system** modeled after Israel’s **Iron Dome**. This ambitious initiative, dubbed the **”gold dome,”** aims to enhance the U.S.’s defensive capabilities against ballistic threats.

“I am pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system,” Trump declared during a press briefing in the **Oval Office**, highlighting that **Canada** would also participate in the initiative. The total projected cost of this defense system is around **$175 billion**, with expectations that it will be operational by the end of his term.

In January, Trump had **signed a decree** to initiate the development of an **American Iron Dome**, which the White House describes as a comprehensive **anti-missile defense shield** meant to safeguard U.S. territory. The announcement has drawn criticism from **Russia** and **China**, with Moscow characterizing it as a plan **”comparable to Star Wars,”** a reference to the Cold War-era strategy supported by Ronald Reagan.

Understanding the Iron Dome’s Functionality

The term **”Iron Dome”** refers to Israel’s advanced defense system, specifically designed to shield the nation against missile, rocket, and drone attacks. Since its introduction in **2011**, it has successfully intercepted thousands of incoming threats, boasting an impressive interception rate of approximately **90%**, according to **Rafael**, the Israeli military firm that contributed to its development.

Israel’s pursuit of the **Iron Dome** originated after the **2006 Lebanon War**, where the need for reinforced home defense became evident. The **United States** subsequently collaborated with Israel, providing not only expertise but also substantial financial contributions to enhance the system’s effectiveness.

While Trump briefly discussed this anti-missile shield during his campaign, experts note that systems like the **Iron Dome** are primarily designed for addressing **short to medium-range attacks**. They emphasize that these systems are not equipped for intercepting **intercontinental ballistic missiles** (ICBMs), which pose a more significant threat to U.S. national security.