US President Donald Trump has said the new Air Force One aircraft gifted by Qatar will soon undergo additional upgrades to reach its full operational capability, following reports questioning its current security features.
Speaking to reporters after returning to Washington from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump explained that the retrofitted Boeing 747-8 would be sent away for approximately one month to be “maxed out.”
“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, adding that the enhancement process would take around a month.
His comments came after reports suggested the jet lacked several advanced security systems, including anti-missile defence measures. The reports also noted that journalists who published those claims were later subpoenaed by the Trump administration.
The president first travelled aboard the modified Boeing 747-8 on July 1. However, questions emerged after he returned from a NATO summit in Ankara on July 10 using an older presidential aircraft, prompting speculation over the readiness of the new jet.
Trump has previously dismissed concerns surrounding the aircraft, saying he had sent it ahead from Türkiye to a military base in the United Kingdom so US service members could inspect it.
The luxury aircraft was donated by Qatar’s royal family last year after Trump publicly criticised the condition of the ageing Air Force One fleet, which has been in service since 1990.
The gift has drawn criticism from opponents, who have raised ethical, constitutional and national security concerns about accepting an aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars from a foreign government.
The aircraft also features a redesigned exterior in red, white and navy blue, replacing the traditional white and light blue colour scheme used on previous presidential planes.
Meanwhile, two newly built Boeing Air Force One aircraft remain under construction and are expected to enter service later this decade after repeated delays and rising project costs.
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