Golden Dome for America and its Impact on Nuclear Strategic Stability

An event series report

Abstract

This report examines the Golden Dome for America (GDA) and its potential implications for nuclear strategic stability. Drawing on insights from a three-event webinar series organised by International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP) and Student/Young Pugwash UK (SYP UK) in late 2025, it reviews the initiative’s conceptual scope, projected architecture, budgetary requirements, and technical feasibility, with particular attention to space-based sensors and interceptors, midcourse and boost phase missile defence, and systems aimed at countering hypersonic glide vehicles. The report finds that GDA remains highly ambitious, politically significant, and conceptually fluid, while facing major technical, industrial, budgetary, and operational constraints. At the same time, the initiative is already shaping strategic perceptions among major nuclear powers. By extending US homeland missile defence aspirations beyond limited threats and toward peer competitors, GDA risks accelerating offensive and defensive arms competitions, intensifying counterspace developments, and undermining adversaries’ confidence in the effectiveness of their nuclear deterrents. The report also briefly considers the limited conditions under which missile defence could have stabilising effects and identifies recommendations aimed at reducing misperception, improving transparency, strengthening pre-launch notification mechanisms, and grounding policy in realistic technical assessments.