Sources familiar with the matter revealed that President Donald Trump’s plan to build the missile defense system known as the “Golden Dome” is facing setbacks that could ultimately lead to the project’s failure.
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According to a Reuters report citing these sources, the project is running into major challenges due to the 43-day government shutdown and the absence of a clear plan for spending the first USD 25 billion allocated to the program this summer.
The sources, including a U.S. official, stated that the shutdown disrupted hiring processes and pulled key personnel away from their normal responsibilities of reviewing and signing contracts.
More concerning, they said, is that the USD 25 billion set aside as part of this summer’s budget settlement has not yet translated into a detailed spending plan explaining how the funds will be used.
These setbacks pose a threat to Trump's pledge to deliver the USD 175-billion missile shield, announced in the first week of his new administration, and intended to protect the U.S. mainland by 2028.
A U.S. official told Reuters: “I don’t think they have made much progress, but I don’t think things are in terrible shape either.”
Congress was originally expected to receive a detailed spending plan in late August as part of the “Golden Dome” funding bill, but congressional sources now say Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg is likely to present it by December.
Delays are common in defense contracting, but given the tight deadlines set by Trump, the Golden Dome program has taken on increased urgency. The delays have raised concerns among officials that the Pentagon may fail to issue major project contracts before the December 31 deadline.
A White House spokesperson said: “The Golden Dome is a visionary project led by a visionary president. It’s no surprise that launching such a system requires massive effort, and everyone is working with full force to finalize the project and deliver next-generation technology.”
A Pentagon spokesperson added that the Department of Defense is closely monitoring progress in the program. “Recognizing that adversaries may seek to exploit developments in the Golden Dome system, we are taking great care to protect the strategic advantages the program provides,” the spokesperson told Sky News.
