US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a “Golden Dome” missile defense system to protect the country from attacks. He said it should be ready for operation in about three years.

The president announced that initial funding for the plan would be $25 billion, with the final cost potentially reaching around $175 billion.

"During the campaign, I promised the American people that I would build the most advanced missile defense system.

Today, I am pleased to announce that we have officially selected the architecture for this modern system,“ Trump said at the White House.

”Once fully built, the Golden Dome will be able to intercept missiles even if they are launched from other parts of the world, and even if they are launched from space. This is very important for the success and even the survival of our country," Trump added.

He also said that General Michael Gettling of the US Space Force would lead the effort and that Canada had expressed interest in joining the project.

While Trump estimated the total cost at $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office calculated that the cost of space interceptors to destroy a limited number of intercontinental ballistic missiles would be between $161 billion and $542 billion over 20 years.

The “Golden Dome” has more ambitious goals, with Trump saying it will “deploy next-generation technologies on land, at sea, and in space, including space-based sensors and interceptors.”

Pentagon chief Pete Haggert, who spoke alongside Trump, said the system aims to protect “the homeland from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether conventional or nuclear.” | BGNES