Russia Warns 'Golden Dome' Could Destabilize Deterrence. Dmitry Medvedev told Kommersant that the U.S. 'Golden Dome' missile-defense plan is 'provocative' and may upset the offense-defense balance referenced in New START. The Pentagon's Jan. 23 National Defense Strategy highlights the Dome as part of expanded homeland missile defenses. Experts say the program is as much a geopolitical signal as a technical undertaking, with costs likely in the trillions and a planning horizon of about a decade, and that Canada and Greenland would be important for early warning.
Russia Calls Trump’s 'Golden Dome' Missile Shield 'Provocative' as Trillion-Dollar Plan Advances
Deputy head of Russia's Security Council Dmitry Medvedev speaks during an interview with Russian media at a residence outside Moscow, Russia, March 23, 2023.(Reuters)
Russia on Monday criticized the United States' proposed missile-defense architecture known as the 'Golden Dome,' warning the program could destabilize the balance between offensive and defensive strategic forces, according to state news agency TASS.
'Problems in the strategic sphere resulting from destabilizing U.S. actions only continue to grow. It is enough to recall the highly provocative anti-missile project "Golden Dome for America,"' Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, told Kommersant, TASS reported. He added that the plan 'fundamentally contradicts the assertion of the inseparable interrelationship between offensive and defensive strategic arms, which was enshrined in the preamble of New START.'
The Golden Dome is a long-term U.S. missile-defense concept intended to protect North America against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile threats. The Pentagon's Jan. 23 National Defense Strategy frames the initiative as part of a broader push to strengthen homeland defense, expand missile defenses, counter drone capabilities, enhance cyber protections, and develop long-range strike options.
Strategic Reaction and Geopolitical Signaling
Analysts say part of the project's impact comes from signaling: even before deployment, the Golden Dome could influence negotiations, deterrence calculations and international arms discussions. Defense entrepreneur Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly, told Fox News Digital that the program is both a military capability and a diplomatic bargaining chip.
'Even before it has been built, the dome is militarily and politically focused and an incredible bargaining chip with U.S. adversaries,' Chell said. 'In this case, it is Russia and China in particular, in terms of how the U.S. postures for negotiating peace terms, treaty terms and whether the U.S. will be negating their already existing arsenal.'
Costs, Timetable and Technical Scope
Officials and experts estimate the program will require enormous resources. Chell suggested the Golden Dome could run into the trillions of dollars and involve roughly a decade of planning to develop communications links, radar arrays, early-warning systems and supporting infrastructure.
President Donald Trump announced his proposal for a "Golden Dome" missile defense system in the United States on May 20, 2025.
To detect and intercept threats before they approach continental U.S. airspace, planners have identified high-latitude locations such as Canada and Greenland as critical for radar coverage, space tracking and early warning. Detailed terrain data and secure access to northern airspace and installations will be important components of the architecture.
Unmanned systems are likely to play a role as well. Chell noted that drones could contribute reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence to an integrated Golden Dome architecture.
International Concerns
Russia and China have both voiced concern that a broad U.S. missile-defense program could undermine strategic stability and accelerate an arms race, including potential weaponization of space. U.S. officials say the system is meant to deter and defend against large missile barrages and other advanced aerial threats while strengthening cyber resilience for critical infrastructure.
Fox News Digital contacted the Department of Defense for comment.
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