"It's a generational investment in the security of America and Americans," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

The so-called "Golden Dome", inspired by Israel's land-based Iron Dome defense shield, is an ambitious project aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia, which the United States views as its two biggest geopolitical competitors.

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China has raised "grave" concerns over President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" anti-missile defense system, warning that it will trigger an arms race in space. "It will exacerbate the risk of turning outer space into a battlefield and starting an arms race,