Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: The Golden Dome.
Context:
The “Golden Dome” missile defense shield, recently announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, represents a bold vision for the future of American air defense.
- Inspired by Israel’s Iron Dome, this ambitious project aims to integrate next-generation technologies, including space-based systems, to create a comprehensive defense mechanism against various aerial threats.
Key Takeaways:
Key Features of the Golden Dome:
- Space-Based Defense System: The Golden Dome aims to be the first truly space-based weapon system, utilizing satellites for both detection and interception of threats.
- It will consist of thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth, designed to intercept enemy missiles shortly after launch.
- Integration of Advanced Technologies: The system will incorporate space-based sensors and interceptors, moving beyond traditional Earth-based defense mechanisms.
- This integration is expected to enhance the U.S. military’s capability to respond to threats from Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs).
- Potential Cost and Timeline: Trump has estimated the cost of the Golden Dome at approximately $175 billion, with an operational target set for January 2029.
Golden Dome vs. Iron Dome: Key Differences:
- Strategic Importance of Golden Dome
- Strengthens US national security by protecting against evolving missile threats.
- Reduces vulnerability to hypersonic weapons, which are harder to intercept.
- Provides real-time intelligence and rapid response capabilities.
- Supports allied defense cooperation, learning from Israel’s Iron Dome experience.
Concerns:
- Russia and China criticised the Golden Dome concept, stating it risked turning space into a “battlefield.”
- Against the spirit of Outer Space Treaty, 1966: States shall not place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies or station them in outer space.
Technological Implications of Orbital Weaponry:
Conclusion: Trump’s Golden Dome represents an ambitious vision for the next era of missile defense. While the idea is not entirely far-fetched, it is technologically untested, financially massive, and politically controversial. If ever realized, it could change the nature of global military defense, but for now, it remains more of a futuristic aspiration than a near-term reality.
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