Trump's Golden Dome Missile Shield Estimated to Cost $12 Trillion (defensenews.com)

• $12 trillion cost estimate for Golden Dome missile shield.
• Raises concerns over NATO burden-sharing and European defense budgets.
• May push Europe towards independent missile defense capabilities.

"A new cost estimate projects the United States' proposed 'Golden Dome' missile defense system at $12 trillion, raising significant questions about allied burden-sharing and NATO's collective defense posture. The figure, far exceeding initial projections, emerges as European defense ministers review their own procurement plans. The price tag threatens to strain US fiscal capacity and may accelerate calls for Europe to assume greater responsibility for continental air defense. The estimate underscores the strategic dilemma facing European capitals: whether to increase defense spending autonomously or rely on a US system that may be cost-prohibitive."