Washington, 21 May 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday unveiled more details about the country's planned protective air defence shield, or "Golden Dome," to ward off drones and missiles.

Trump said the $175 billion system would be "fully operational before the end of my term." Trump's second term in office is set to end in 2029.

The Golden Dome will integrate with existing defence capabilities in the US, Trump said.

"Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from the other side of the world and even if they are launched from space," he said.

"This is very important for the success and even survival of our country."

Canada had expressed interest in participating in the project, he added.

Trump signed an executive order, titled "The Iron Dome for America," to launch the project just days after his inauguration in January.

The original Iron Dome is Israel's missile shield, designed in the early 2000s to intercept short-range rockets, as well as shells and mortars.

Photo: EPA