One Year On, Trump's Golden Dome Missile Defense System Struggles For Momentum As China Pushes Ahead: Report

A year since its inception, President Donald Trump‘s ‘Golden Dome’ missile-defense initiative has reportedly made minimal headway, hampered by technical disputes and concerns over space-based components.

Internal Debates Slow Progress

The Golden Dome program, which was established through an executive order last year, aimed to deploy a comprehensive homeland missile-defense system by 2028. However, the initiative has been slow to utilize the $25 billion allocated last summer, with ongoing debates over its space-based architecture, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

One factor behind the delay has been internal discussions over classified space-based systems that could potentially involve anti-satellite capabilities. These deliberations have sparked concerns about whether such weapons would be compatible with a defensive missile shield, especially given the United States' long-standing opposition to anti-satellite arms and its criticism of China for its 2007 anti-satellite missile test.

Despite the availability of funds, significant amounts have yet to be released, pending key decisions. The program’s director, General Michael Guetlein, is unable to proceed with procurement ...