US President Donald Trump's proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system would cost approximately $1.2 trillion to develop, deploy, and operate over two decades, according to a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The estimate, released in early 2025, is significantly higher than initial projections.
The CBO analysis, which examined multiple potential architectures for the system, found that even the most limited version would cost hundreds of billions of dollars. The full-scale system, intended to protect the entire United States from missile attacks, could involve hundreds of space-based interceptors and ground-based radars.
Experts have raised concerns about the system's effectiveness against a sophisticated all-out missile attack, particularly from nations like Russia or China with large arsenals and advanced countermeasures. The CBO report noted that the system might not be able to stop a large-scale salvo, as interceptors could be overwhelmed.
The 'Golden Dome' concept, named after the biblical protective structure, was a key campaign promise for Trump. However, the high cost and technical challenges have sparked debate in Congress, with some lawmakers questioning the feasibility and prioritization of such a massive defense expenditure.
As of May 2026, no formal contracts have been awarded, and the program remains in the conceptual phase. The Pentagon has not issued a public response to the CBO's cost estimate.
