• The US has announced the launch of its ambitious Golden Dome project, a $175 billion missile defence shield aimed at safeguarding the nation from emerging global missile threats.
• The system will combine ground-based interceptors with advanced space-based technologies for continuous surveillance, early detection, and real-time interception.
• Features include satellites for 24/7 monitoring, advanced radar and sensors, and potential use of laser weapons to neutralize missiles mid-flight. The project will integrate existing US defence assets such as Patriot batteries, THAAD, Aegis BMD, and Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) into a unified shield.
• Defence experts call the Golden Dome one of the most ambitious security initiatives in US history, with potential to reshape global defence strategies. However, analysts warn it could spark debates on arms escalation and the militarization of space.