Donald Trump unveils his £140 billion 'Golden Dome' missile shield

Donald Trump has unveiled grand plans for a revolutionary missile defence system, termed the "Golden Dome", aimed at protecting the US from international missile threats, boasting it could be operational before his potential second term concludes.

"In the campaign I promised the American people I would build a cutting-edge missile defence shield," Mr Trump proclaimed at the White House. "Today I am pleased to announce we have officially selected architecture for this state-of-the-art system."

The ambitious $175 billion (£140 billion) project is slated for completion within three years, the ex-President said.

has signalled their interest in participating in this missile defence initiative, Mr Trump also revealed.

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Should it come to fruition, Golden Dome represents a historic move to weaponise space by America, allowing the annihilation of hostile missiles during various stages of their flight, as per reports by the Telegraph, reports .

General Michael Guetlein, the current vice-chief of space operations, has been confirmed by Mr Trump as the lead on the Golden Dome’s development.

Envisioned to merge terrestrial and extraterrestrial technologies, the groundbreaking defensive system endeavours to detect and obliterate any incoming missiles at all junctures – from initial detection to the interception of airborne menaces or their neutralization as they make their final approach.

For several months, Pentagon researchers have been exploring a variety of potential designs, including what a US official referred to as "medium, high and extra high" cost options. Space-based interceptors are a crucial component of these plans.

The Congressional Office recently projected that the space-based elements alone could rack up costs of as much as $542 billion over the next two decades. Mr Trump has already earmarked an initial $25 billion for Golden Dome in his proposed tax break legislation currently making its way through Congress.

The urgency of this initiative is fuelled by growing worries about the advanced missile capabilities of and , which Pentagon officials argue necessitate an updated and highly capable defence response.

Golden Dome's network of satellites and interceptors - which account for most of the system's hefty price tag - is specifically engineered to counter these sophisticated threats at early or mid-flight stages.

"The space-based weapons envisioned for Golden Dome represent new and emerging requirements for missions that have never before been accomplished by military space organisations," Gen Chance Saltzman, head of the US Space Force, said during a hearing on Tuesday.

If successful, the Golden Dome could signify a historic leap forward in US military space capability - and a daring step into a new era of high-tech defence.