Speaker
Description
The US Golden Dome initiative, announced by President Donald Trump in 2025, envisages a multilayer defence system to destroy ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles and possibly even drones. The prospect of a “defensive shield” has appeal in some quarters, but its effectiveness can easily be questioned, especially when one considers the countermeasures like larger attacks and decoys. In some scenarios, the envisaged system could possibly help prevent missiles from reaching America, including missiles launched by accident or miscalculation. However, the system will almost certainly cause an arms race and create international instability. The system could more easily be used for offense and intimidation. It would weaponize outer space, causing new and advanced weapons system to orbit above most nations. Also, it will divert an enormous level of funds from other programmes, military and civilian. Canada refused to participate in similar US initiatives in the past (Strategic Defense Initiative aka “Star Wars” in 1985 and Ballistic Missile Defense in 1995) and has yet to determine what role, if any, it will have in Golden Dome. So public and parliamentary debate is urgently needed to consider the pros and cons of participation. This presentation presents some of the facts and physics, as well as the implications for international security of the system as proposed and under development.