Trump unveils plans for 'Golden Dome' space missile defence program
發佈日期: 2025-05-21 19:46
TVB News
U.S. President Donald Trump detailed plans on Tuesday to build a multibillion-dollar "Golden Dome" missile shield that he envisions will counter foreign aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
Officials in Beijing have slammed the plan.
They urged Washington to abandon the development of the "Golden Dome" as soon as possible and take actions to enhance trust among major powers.
Donald Trump said: "Today, I am pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system that will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors."
Donald Trump, seated with a poster in the Oval Office, said the "Golden Dome" will be entirely made in the U.S. and should be complete before he leaves office.
The name and concept of the ambitious project stem from Israel's Iron Dome air defence system.
The president argued the missile shield is key to the success and even survival for the United States, adding that Canada had expressed interest in taking part.
"This design for the Golden Dome will integrate with our existing defence capabilities. It should be fully operational before the end of my term, so we'll have it done in about three years. Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles, even if they are launched from other sides of the world and even if they are launched from space."
According to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, the dome will protect the homeland from "cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear."
And Trump has tapped Space Force General Michael Guetlein, the vice-chief of space operations, to oversee its implementation.
The total cost of putting the system into service would reach some 175 billion dollars, and the Republicans have agreed to allocate 25 billion U.S. dollars in initial funding.
Analysts point out the procurement could end up largely as a partnership with defence contractors.
Senate Democrats have raised ethical concerns as Trump ally Elon Musk's SpaceX, alongside Palantir and Anduril, reportedly emerged as frontrunners to win a lucrative contract to build the system's components.
Some lawmakers are also sceptical about how effective the system will be.
China and Russia said earlier that Washington's plan to build the missile shield would risk turning space into a battlefield.
When asked at a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China is seriously concerned about the "Golden Dome" which she says has strong offensive characteristics, a breach of the principle of peaceful use advocated by the Outer Space Treaty.
She said the U.S. pursues a policy of prioritizing its own interests and is obsessed with seeking absolute security. This not only violates the principle that the security of all countries should not be compromised, but also harms global strategic balance and stability.
Mao urged the U.S. to abandon the development and deployment of a global missile defence system and work to enhance strategic mutual trust.
