Canada has confirmed that it is holding important discussions with the United States about a new missile defense system. This defense system is called the “Golden Dome.” It is designed to protect against new kinds of missile threats, including very fast missiles that can fly through space.
Canada Discusses Joining US Missile Defense Shield
The United States announced the Golden Dome system earlier this week. The goal is to build a powerful shield that can detect and stop missiles before they reach North America. The US has said the system will cost $25 billion at the start. Later, it might cost as much as $542 billion over 20 years, especially because it includes space-based weapons and sensors.
Canada has not made any promises yet. However, the country’s leader confirmed that Canada is considering being part of this system. He said the idea is being discussed in top-level meetings between Canadian and American officials. He also said that no decision has been made yet about how much Canada might spend or how exactly it would help build the system.
The Golden Dome project is meant to work like a giant protective net. It would use satellites and other high-tech tools in space to track missiles as they are launched. Then, special interceptors could try to destroy those missiles before they hit their target. The idea is similar to the Iron Dome used by Israel, but on a much bigger scale.
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Canada and US Already Share a Defense Partnership
Canada and the US have been military partners for a long time. Since 1958, they have worked together under something called Norad. This partnership watches over the skies and waters around North America. It is able to detect dangerous objects, including enemy aircraft and missiles. If needed, Norad can take action to stop threats.
Because of this history, Canada already has experience working closely with the US on defense. Now, the Golden Dome system is being seen as a possible next step. Canadian officials have said that talks about the Golden Dome also include discussions on improving Norad.
Officials also shared that the Canadian government has been given a clear mandate from voters to strengthen its relationship with the US in both trade and defense. As part of this effort, Canadian ministers are in regular contact with American leaders.
Even though there is interest in joining the Golden Dome, Canadian leaders have said it is too early to say what the country will contribute. They added that decisions like these are not just about money, but also about the country’s security and defense responsibilities.
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Doubts and Questions About the Golden Dome Plan
Although the US is moving forward with the Golden Dome project, many experts have raised concerns. Some are unsure if such a large and complex system can even work. They say protecting a country as large as the US is very difficult, especially with fast and unpredictable missiles.
One expert explained that for the Golden Dome to work, it would need thousands of satellites in space. These satellites would need to track missiles the moment they are launched. Then, other weapons in space would need to shoot the missiles down. The expert said this kind of system is very expensive and would take a long time to build.
There is also some confusion about how Canada would be involved. It is not clear where Canada would fit into the system or how much money it would be expected to provide. However, US officials have said that they expect countries like Canada to “pay their fair share” if they join.
So far, the US has shared that the system would be ready before the end of the current president’s term in office. But experts believe this is unlikely. Building such a big defense project would take many years and would cost a large part of the US defense budget.
Despite the concerns, both countries continue to talk. Canadian officials have confirmed that they are having broad and serious discussions with the US. These talks are not only about missile defense but also about trade and other matters between the two countries.
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Right now, the discussions are ongoing. There are no firm agreements or final numbers. However, the fact that Canada is even considering joining the Golden Dome project shows that both countries are thinking about new ways to protect themselves in a changing world.
