Washington, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have developed the clearest plan for the Golden Dome missile defense program, including putting weapons in space for the first time.

Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he “formally chose the building of the system” to remove “treble missiles, ballistic missiles and advanced cruise missiles.”

"I assured the American people that I will build a cutting-edge missile defense shield to protect our homeland from the threat of foreign missile attacks," Trump told the Oval Office reporter.

He added that the gold dome system will include "space sensors and interceptors."

"Once fully built, the Golden Dome will be able to intercept missiles even if it is launched from other aspects of the world, even if they are launched from space," Trump continued. "We will have the best system ever."

Less than four months after Trump signed an executive order to start the development of the program. General Michael Guetlein, currently the deputy space operation director for the U.S. military branch, plans to manage the program.

Hegseth spoke at the event, praising the program for “Game Changeers” and “Generation Investments for Americans and Americans Safe.”

The White House did not immediately release more details about the missile defense system, and the Pentagon is reportedly still developing its capabilities and requirements.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the space components of the Golden Dome alone could cost as much as $5.42 billion in the next 20 years earlier this month.

It noted that a large number of sensors and interceptors are required to make space systems effective, especially as foreign troops like North Korea grow more complex.

But on Tuesday, Trump outlined a lower price tag and schedule.

"It should be fully running before the end of my term. So we will be done in about three years," Trump said.

He estimated the total cost to total about $175 million, adding that he plans to use existing defense capabilities to build the system.

But funding for the program has not been secured so far. In a press conference Tuesday, Trump confirmed that he is seeking a $25 billion tax bill for the system, which is currently passing a tax bill proposed by Congress, although the amount could be cut in ongoing negotiations.

The total cost of the project may vary. For example, the Associated Press news agency quoted an unnamed administration official as saying that Trump was given three versions of the program, called "medium", "high" and "extra high."

These layers are equivalent to a portion of the plan to put how many satellites, sensors and interceptors in space. The news agency reported that Trump chose a "high" version with an initial cost of between $30 billion and $10 billion.

Questions about viability

When he explained his Golden Dome plan on Tuesday, Trump cited some inspiration, including Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defense system, which is partly funded by the U.S.

He also pointed to the work of a fellow Republican, the late President Ronald Reagan, who served in the White House during the Cold War in the 1980s.

As part of his strategic defense plan in 1983, Reagan proposed obstacles to nuclear weapons, including space technology.

"We will truly complete the work that President Reagan began 40 years ago and end the missile threat to his American homeland forever," Trump said.

However, the question has always been the feasibility of space defense systems, its price and whether it can ignite a new arms race.

Democrats also questioned Elon Musk's SpaceX possible involvement, a leader in technology companies trying to build a key component of the system.

A group of 42 Democratic lawmakers called for an investigation into Musk's role in the bidding process, which shows that he is Trump's special adviser and a large number of campaign donations to the president.

“If Mr. Musk is to improperly exercise the Golden Dome contract, that would be another example
Mr. Musk violates the disturbing pattern of conflict of interest rules. ” The Democrats wrote in a letter asking for an investigation.

On Tuesday, Trump did not directly answer questions about which companies would participate in the Golden Dome. Instead, he stressed that the system will promote industries in states such as Alaska, Indiana, Florida and Georgia.

He added: "Canada called us and they wanted to be a part of it. So we're going to talk to them."