A year since its inception, President Donald Trump‘s ‘Golden Dome’ missile-defense initiative has reportedly made minimal headway, hampered by technical disputes and concerns over space-based components.
Internal Debates Slow Progress
The Golden Dome program, which was established through an executive order last year, aimed to deploy a comprehensive homeland missile-defense system by 2028. However, the initiative has been slow to utilize the $25 billion allocated last summer, with ongoing debates over its space-based architecture, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
One factor behind the delay has been internal discussions over classified space-based systems that could potentially involve anti-satellite capabilities. These deliberations have sparked concerns about whether such weapons would be compatible with a defensive missile shield, especially given the United States' long-standing opposition to anti-satellite arms and its criticism of China for its 2007 anti-satellite missile test.
Despite the availability of funds, significant amounts have yet to be released, pending key decisions. The program’s director, General Michael Guetlein, is unable to proceed with procurement contracts for existing weaponry until these issues are resolved, according to the report.
The Space Force awarded several small Golden Dome contracts in November, about six worth roughly $120,000 each, to companies including Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), Anduril, and True Anomaly to develop competing missile defense prototypes, marking the first concrete steps.
Golden Dome Delays As China Advances
The slow progress of the Golden Dome initiative is in stark contrast to the optimism expressed by leading contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT) in October 2025. During its third-quarter earnings call, Lockheed Martin’s CEO Jim Taiclet had stated that the company was “ready and well positioned” to support the Homeland Defense mission, including the Golden Dome missile defense system.
Trump’s focus on the $175 billion missile defense system was further highlighted in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, where he emphasized Greenland as a core U.S. national security interest and doubled down on making it a part of the Golden Dome system.
However, the delay in the Golden Dome initiative raises questions about the U.S.’s capabilities, particularly in the face of potential competition. In October, a Chinese research team reportedly stated that it had built and deployed an early-stage data processing system by China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) that can integrate multi-domain sensor data to detect and respond to airborne threats worldwide. If proven effective, it could become the first air defense system with global reach, potentially predating the U.S. "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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