Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed back against criticism from China, reaffirming that the United States’ new “Golden Dome” missile defense system is purely defensive and critical to protecting the homeland.
Speaking during a visit to Fort Bragg, Hegseth emphasized that the primary goal of the Golden Dome initiative is to safeguard American territory from modern missile threats. He dismissed international claims that the program is offensive in nature, stating that its sole purpose is national defense.
The Golden Dome, a $125 billion space-based missile defense program announced by President Trump, is designed to create a high-tech protective barrier against long-range attacks, particularly from nations like China and Russia. The administration aims to have the system operational within three years.
Chinese officials have warned that the initiative could fuel a new arms race in space and destabilize existing global security agreements. Hegseth countered these concerns, asserting that the U.S. has a responsibility to adapt to emerging threats and protect its citizens by any means necessary.
He described the system as a generational investment that aligns with the administration’s broader strategy to rebuild American strength and ensure military dominance in new domains, including space.
As development progresses, the Golden Dome continues to draw both strategic praise and geopolitical scrutiny, reflecting its central role in the evolving landscape of U.S. national defense.