The US has determined that the Golden Dome missile defence project will cost up to $550 billion
The US Congressional Budget Office has released the first independent estimate of the cost of the Golden Dome missile defence system, known as the Golden Dome, initiated by President Donald Trump.
Here's What We Know
The report, prepared for the Senate Armed Services subcommittee, says the project will cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over the next 20 years. This depends on the size of the system, the number of interceptors to be launched, and the cost of launches.
The estimate builds on previous studies by the CBO and the National Research Council that examined the concept of space defence against potential ballistic threats, including those from North Korea.
The report notes that Golden Dome is a repeat of Ronald Reagan's idea for a space-based missile defence system known as Star Wars, but unlike Star Wars, the new programme faces even greater challenges. Interceptor technology in space is still untested, and the threats from China and Russia are much more complex and require a much larger grouping of satellites and interceptors.
The White House and the Pentagon have not yet publicly presented the architecture of the future system. At the same time, experts point out that new challenges, such as the development of Chinese and Russian satellite destruction capabilities, could increase costs, as interceptors will have to be more secure.
The Budget Office also warns that without clear technical solutions and an appropriate strategy, the risks of the project remain high, and its implementation may require significant adjustments in the event of a change in the political course or security situation.
Source: Bloomberg
