US President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system could ultimately cost as much as $1.2 trillion over the next two decades, according to a new estimate released on Tuesday (May 12) by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). “Of the $1.2 trillion amount, acquisition costs...would total just over $1 trillion. That amount includes costs for the system's major components, namely, the interceptor layers and a space-based missile warning and tracking system,” the CBO said in its report.&nbsp;“The most expensive component is the space-based interceptor layer, which accounts for about 70 percent of acquisition costs and 60 percent of total costs,” it added.The report also projected that annual operations and support expenses would average around $8.3 billion. Trump directed the Pentagon in January 2025 to begin designing a sophisticated missile defense network initially referred to as the “Iron Dome for America,” aimed at countering advanced aerial and missile threats.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fda-commissioner-marty-makary-resigns-after-clashes-over-vaccines-and-vapes-who-is-he-1778612357796">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigns after clashes over vaccines and vapes. Who is he?</a>&nbsp;In May 2025, Trump revealed that $25 billion had been allocated to launch the initiative and estimated the overall program would cost roughly $175 billion. However, the CBO previously warned that even a limited space-based interceptor system capable of stopping a small number of intercontinental ballistic missiles could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over a 20-year period. The ambitions for the Golden Dome project appear far broader. The 2026 National Defense Strategy states that the Pentagon will “focus on options to cost-effectively defeat large missile barrages and other advanced aerial attacks.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/500-loaves-of-bread-on-a-dress-stuns-african-film-awards-1778603871905/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/500-loaves-of-bread-on-a-dress-stuns-african-film-awards-1778603871905/embed</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

A Congressional Budget Office report estimates Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense shield could cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years, far exceeding initial projections

US President Donald Trump’s proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system could ultimately cost as much as $1.2 trillion over the next two decades, according to a new estimate released on Tuesday (May 12) by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). “Of the $1.2 trillion amount, acquisition costs...would total just over $1 trillion. That amount includes costs for the system's major components, namely, the interceptor layers and a space-based missile warning and tracking system,” the CBO said in its report. “The most expensive component is the space-based interceptor layer, which accounts for about 70 percent of acquisition costs and 60 percent of total costs,” it added. The report also projected that annual operations and support expenses would average around $8.3 billion. Trump directed the Pentagon in January 2025 to begin designing a sophisticated missile defense network initially referred to as the “Iron Dome for America,” aimed at countering advanced aerial and missile threats. Also Read: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigns after clashes over vaccines and vapes. Who is he? In May 2025, Trump revealed that $25 billion had been allocated to launch the initiative and estimated the overall program would cost roughly $175 billion. However, the CBO previously warned that even a limited space-based interceptor system capable of stopping a small number of intercontinental ballistic missiles could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over a 20-year period. The ambitions for the Golden Dome project appear far broader. The 2026 National Defense Strategy states that the Pentagon will “focus on options to cost-effectively defeat large missile barrages and other advanced aerial attacks.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/500-loaves-of-bread-on-a-dress-stuns-african-film-awards-1778603871905/embed Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile shield could cost $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years, according to a Congressional Budget Office report released on Tuesday (May 12)

Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile defense system may cost $1.2 trillion: Budget office

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Trump's 'Golden Dome' missile defense system may cost $1.2 trillion: Budget office