In a sweeping move to bolster America’s defense capabilities, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday evening directing the Pentagon to commence construction of an Iron Dome missile defense system modeled after Israel’s renowned technology.
The directive, signed aboard Air Force One while en route to Washington, D.C., signals a dramatic shift in U.S. defense priorities, as no comparable system currently exists domestically. The Iron Dome, long utilized by Israel to intercept and neutralize missile threats from groups like Hamas, has received at least $2.6 billion in U.S. funding since 2011.
“We protect other countries, but we don’t protect ourselves,” Trump said earlier at a House Republican policy retreat in Florida. He emphasized that the defense system is only possible due to America’s “phenomenal” technological advancements.
The proposed system aims to defend against ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, as well as other advanced aerial threats, utilizing space-based interceptors and cutting-edge capabilities. While no such attack has occurred on U.S. soil, the executive order cited an increasing “catastrophic threat” over the past four decades as justification.
Delivering on Campaign Promises
The initiative fulfills a key promise from Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign, during which he advocated for a state-of-the-art missile defense system to ensure national security. Monday’s order also aligns with the Republican Party’s campaign platform, which vows to modernize the military and invest in advanced defense technologies.
“Republicans will ensure our Military is the most modern, lethal and powerful Force in the World,” the platform reads.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who was confirmed earlier this month, echoed Trump’s urgency, announcing a slew of military-focused executive orders, including the Iron Dome initiative, reinstating troops dismissed over COVID-19 mandates, and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the Pentagon.
Echoes of Reagan-Era Defense Ambitions
Trump’s announcement drew comparisons to former President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), colloquially known as “Star Wars.” Proposed during the Cold War, Reagan’s vision for a space-based missile defense system never materialized due to technological limitations. Trump noted the historical parallels, stating that unlike Reagan’s era, modern advancements now make such systems feasible.
“Luckily, we didn’t implement it then because we didn’t have the technology,” Trump told House Republicans.
Missing Details
The executive order did not specify the projected cost or timeline for developing the system, leaving questions about its feasibility and financial implications. Critics have long pointed to the high cost of such programs, particularly as the U.S. continues to navigate domestic economic challenges.
