The Golden Dome missile defense shield project initiated by President Donald Trump could cost about $1.2 trillion over 20 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), far exceeding the Pentagon’s previous projection of $185 billion.

The CBO estimate released on Tuesday encompasses the cost of developing, deploying, and operating the system over two decades. The acquisition costs are expected to exceed $1 trillion, with the space-based interceptor layer, a network of 7,800 satellites, accounting for roughly 70% of the total expense.

The project aims to bolster ground-based defenses, including interceptor missiles, sensors, and command-and-control systems. It also plans to incorporate space-based elements to detect, track, and potentially neutralize incoming threats from orbit.

The system is designed to defend the entire U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, against regional threats such as North Korea. However, the CBO warned it may not be able to handle a large-scale attack from major powers like Russia or China.

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