Trump Says Qatari-Donated Air Force One Will Receive Further Upgrades
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
WASHINGTON, July 20, Saudi Arabia Breaking News — US President Donald Trump said the Qatari-donated Boeing 747 currently serving as an Air Force One aircraft would undergo additional upgrades within about a month, amid questions over its security capabilities.
“It has a lot of capability,” Trump told reporters on Sunday, adding that the aircraft would be sent away to be “maxed out.” He said the work was expected to take approximately one month.
Trump began using the aircraft on July 1 after accepting it as a gift from Qatar last year. An accelerated renovation programme was subsequently undertaken to prepare the jet for presidential service.
The president unexpectedly switched to an older Air Force One while travelling from Türkiye to the United Kingdom on July 8, amid escalating tensions with Iran. Trump described the decision as being “for old time’s sake,” but used the newer aircraft for his return to the United States.
The US Air Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the planned upgrades or the aircraft’s missile-defence capabilities.
The jet, featuring a red, white, dark blue and gold livery selected by Trump, was refitted by US defence contractor L3Harris Technologies. It is intended to serve as a temporary presidential aircraft while Boeing completes two purpose-built 747-8 planes.
The Boeing programme, covered by a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract signed in 2018, is four years behind schedule and over budget. Delivery is currently expected in mid-2028.
The speed of the Qatari aircraft’s conversion has prompted security concerns among some experts, while critics have also questioned the cost and propriety of accepting the plane as a gift.
