Southern Indiana Business Report
Following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he wants to build a “Golden Dome” missile defense system to protect the United States, US Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, was promoting Indiana’s capabilities to support the project.
Banks touted Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and Fort Wayne company L3Harris while speaking from the Oval Office Tuesday during a live briefing.
As reported by the Indiana Capital Chronicle, Banks said, “Your legacy with Space Force, Mr. President, is already big, but the Golden Dome is going to be an even bigger legacy for our country. And Indiana is going to help you make it,” Banks continued, citing Fort Wayne’s L3Harris as a source for space satellites and the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane as a supporter.
The Golden Dome missile defense shield, introduced by Trump in January, will cost a projected $175 billion, but Republicans opted to include a $25 billion down payment in a contentious defense reconciliation bill.
The project is inspired by Israel’s land-based Iron Dome, which protects the country from missiles and rockets shot by nearby enemies. Trump said the dome would be complete by the end of his term in January 2029, naming Alaska, Florida, Georgia and Indiana as states that would benefit from the project.
Canada will also be a partner, Trump added. General Michael A. Guetlein, the vice chief of space operations, will lead the project.