US President Donald Trump has announced that his newly acquired Air Force One aircraft will undergo additional upgrades after concerns were raised about its security capabilities. Speaking to reporters after returning to Washington from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump said the aircraft would be sent for further modifications to ensure it is fully equipped for presidential use.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar’s royal family, was first used by Trump on July 1. However, questions emerged after the president chose to return from a NATO meeting in Ankara, Turkiye, aboard an older presidential aircraft instead of the newly introduced jet.
Responding to those concerns, Trump confirmed that the aircraft would soon undergo additional work. He said the plane already has significant capabilities, but it will be sent away for approximately one month to be “maxed out” with the necessary systems before returning to service.
Reports suggested the aircraft currently lacks some of the advanced security countermeasures found on the existing Air Force One fleet, including anti missile defence systems. The issue gained further attention after media reports questioned whether the aircraft met the security standards required for transporting the US president. The Trump administration later issued subpoenas to reporters involved in publishing those reports.
Trump has previously dismissed suggestions that the aircraft has serious shortcomings. Earlier, he explained that the plane had been sent to a military base in the United Kingdom following the Turkiye summit so American service members could view the aircraft.
The luxury jet has also sparked ethical, constitutional, and security debates in the United States because of its high value and its donation by a foreign government. The aircraft features a new red, white, and navy blue livery personally approved by Trump, replacing the traditional light blue presidential design.
Meanwhile, Boeing continues work on two brand new Air Force One aircraft that are expected to enter service later this decade after experiencing multiple delays and increased production costs.
