Trump acknowledges Qatari Air Force One lacks full defenses, will be upgraded

President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar and used as Air Force One does not possess the full defensive capabilities of standard presidential aircraft. He stated that the plane will be sent for upgrades to be "equipped to the maximum" within about a month Source: ClarínSource: CNN.

The controversy

The admission follows reports by The New York Times revealing that the aircraft, valued at around $400 million, lacks countermeasures against heat-seeking missiles and sensors to detect launches, which are standard on the older VC-25A models Source: Clarín. The plane also lacks certain electromagnetic pulse resistance and secure communication systems needed for crisis management Source: Clarín. Critics have raised ethical concerns over the gift from Qatar, potentially violating the Emoluments Clause Source: Clarín. The Secret Service reportedly advised Trump to use the older aircraft during a leg of his trip to Turkey due to tensions with Iran Source: InfobaeSource: CNN.

White House response

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that the aircraft is "perfectly safe" but will undergo additional upgrades in the fall, taking about a month Source: Infobae. Meanwhile, Trump will use the older Boeing 747-200B, which has served presidents since George H.W. Bush Source: Infobae.

What's next

The Qatari aircraft is intended as a temporary solution until Boeing completes two new presidential jets, a project delayed by about four years Source: Clarín. Trump plans to eventually display the plane at his future presidential library in Miami Source: Infobae.