Star Wars is Coming! Donald Trump Rolls Out ‘Golden Dome’ Project Worth $175 Bn, Appoints Space General

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday launched one of United States' most ambitious plans to install a 'Golden Dome' to protect the country from missiles launched anywhere from Earth and even space. Trump also said that the proposed missile interceptor will be installed by the end of his presidential term, ie 2029.

While announcing the $175 billion project, Donald Trump cited former US president Ronald Reagan's plan for a similar missile defence system, which was popularly named as 'Star Wars', reported Reuters on Wednesday.

'Reagan Wanted It Then, But We Didn't Have The Technology'

"US President Donald Trump says, "As we make a historic announcement about the Golden Dome Missile Defence shield. That's something we want. Ronald Reagan (40th US President) wanted it many years ago, but they didn't have the technology. But it's something we're going to have. We're going to have it at the highest level...In the campaign, I promised the American people that I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attack. And that's what we're doing today," said Donald Trump in a video message released by the White House on Tuesday.

US Golden Dome: How Will It Work?

The Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting both ground and space based missile attacks. The proposed missile defence sysstem would be capable of countering missies at all four critical sages including a potential attack, pre-launch detection and neutralisation, interception during the initial launch phase, midcourse disruption, and final stage interception.

Golden Dome Inspired By Israel's Iron Dome

The United States' Golden Dome idea has been developed based on Israel's present Iron Dome defence shield system, which protects the country from missiles and rocket attacks.

US's Golden Dome will be much more advanced in terms of technology, range and efficiency. Golden Dome will include a massive array of surveillance satellites and a separate fleet of attacking satellites that would shoot down offensive missiles soon after lift-off.

Tuesday's announcement kicks off the Pentagon's effort to test and ultimately buy the missiles, systems, sensors and satellites that will constitute Golden Dome.

US Golden Dome: Why It Is A Big Opportunity for Elon Musk?

Development of US Golden Dome will be a favourable opportunity for Donald Trump's ally Elon Musk as his company SpaceX can emerge as a frontrunner in the procurement process, Reuters cited Democratic lawmakers' concerns.

"The new autonomous space-age defense ecosystem is more about Silicon Valley than it is about 'big metal,'" Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said at the White House event. Cramer mentioned that the project will be available for everybody to participate and not just the 'big metal', which are the legacy defence contractors in the US.

US Golden Dome: Trump Administration To Rope Canada, And Other Nations

Soon after Donald Trump's announcement, Canada expressed its willingness to join the US's 'Golden Dome' missile defense initiative. Apart from Canada, Trump mentioned that Alsaka will be a part of the program, which will also benefit Florida, Georgia and Indiana.