Trump Says Qatari-Donated Air Force One Needs Security Upgrades
The White House says the temporary presidential jet will be upgraded for about a month after scrutiny over missing missile-defense systems.
- On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced the Qatari-donated Boeing 747 serving as Air Force One will undergo additional upgrades in about a month. Trump stated the jet will be "maxed out" following recent inquiries regarding its missing defensive security features.
- Officials describe the donated aircraft as a temporary "bridge" plane because the purpose-built Boeing 747-8s are delayed until 2028. Industry experts previously warned that the jet's accelerated refit left it lacking sophisticated defensive systems found on older presidential aircraft.
- Security concerns intensified on July 8 when Trump switched to an older Air Force One during a flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom. Reports indicate the Secret Service advised the change following rising hostility with Iran and questions regarding the Qatari jet's capabilities.
- Coverage of these security gaps prompted a leak investigation, leading federal agents to serve subpoenas to New York Times reporters just 24 hours after publication. The outlet has since filed a motion in Manhattan federal court seeking to block the grand jury subpoenas.
- Under a $3.9 billion contract, Boeing must deliver official replacements, a project currently four years behind schedule. Trump's reliance on the temporary, donated jet continues while the administration navigates these delivery delays and ongoing scrutiny regarding presidential travel security.
263 Articles
263 Articles
Qatari-donated Air Force One heads for further security upgrades
The planned return of President Donald Trump’s Qatari-donated aircraft for additional work highlights the central risk surrounding its rapid conversion into Air Force One: retrofitting a civilian jet may not immediately reproduce every protection built into an aircraft designed from the outset for presidential travel. Trump said the $400 million plane would be sent for upgrades within roughly a month after reporters asked about its missile-defen…
Trump: Qatar-donated Air Force One taken offline for 'Maxed Out' security upgrades
President Donald Trump confirmed that the newly acquired Air Force One — a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar — will be temporarily taken out of service for security upgrades, including advanced anti-missile defense systems. The announcement comes shortly after Trump flew an older Air Force One model home from the NATO leaders' summit in Turkey.
White House says new Air Force One will be out of service for a month for ‘upgrades’
President Donald Trump’s new Air Force One, the Boeing luxury jet donated by Qatar, will be taken out of service for about one month this fall for “additional upgrades and enhancements,” the White House press secretary said on Monday. The post White House says new Air Force One will be out of service for a month for ‘upgrades’ appeared first on West Hawaii Today.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
