ASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet will soon undergo further modifications to enhance its security capabilities, following reports that it lacks some of the advanced defensive systems installed on the existing presidential fleet.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after returning to Washington from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump said the Boeing 747-8 would be sent away within the next month for additional upgrades.
“It has a lot of capability, but as I understand it, in about a month or so, they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out,” Trump said when asked why he was still using an aircraft that reportedly does not yet have its full range of defensive features.
“So they’re going to be sending it, and they’ll have it be maxed out. It’ll take about a month,” he added. Trump did not elaborate on the specific enhancements planned for the aircraft.
The remarks came after questions were raised over the jet’s security following Trump’s trip to Turkiye earlier this month. Although he travelled to Ankara aboard the newly retrofitted aircraft, he returned to the United States on one of the older presidential planes, prompting speculation about the new jet’s operational readiness.
According to reports, the aircraft does not yet include several of the sophisticated security systems fitted to the traditional Air Force One fleet, including advanced anti-missile countermeasures. The reports also stated that journalists involved in covering the matter were later subpoenaed by the Trump administration.
Trump has previously dismissed suggestions that the aircraft faced significant operational issues. Earlier, he said the plane had been flown to a British airbase after the Turkiye summit so that US service personnel could inspect it.
The Boeing 747-8 was donated by Qatar’s royal family after Trump repeatedly criticised the condition and age of the two Boeing 747-200 aircraft that have served as Air Force One since 1990.
The gift has drawn scrutiny from critics, who have questioned the ethical, constitutional and national security implications of accepting an aircraft valued at hundreds of millions of dollars from a foreign government.
The aircraft has also been given a new exterior design featuring a red, white and navy blue colour scheme selected by Trump, replacing the traditional white and light blue livery used on previous presidential aircraft.
Meanwhile, Boeing is continuing work on two next-generation Air Force One aircraft, which are expected to enter service later this decade after years of delays and rising programme costs.
