A Boeing 747 jet, recently offered to President Donald Trump by Qatar as a potential temporary flying White House, may encounter significant security hurdles. Experts in aviation and industry sources have indicated that the aircraft could require fighter jet escorts and be restricted to domestic flights unless extensive and costly security upgrades are implemented.
Even with various enhancements to the jet's communications and defensive capabilities planned for the upcoming months, the need for military escorts and limitations on international travel could persist, according to the experts. Former Air Force officials have noted that as the commander-in-chief, Trump has the authority to waive these security requirements, should he choose to do so.
The Air Force declined to comment on the matter, redirecting inquiries to the White House, which did not provide an immediate response. Concerns remain regarding whether a combination of fighter escorts and short-term modifications could adequately safeguard the president. Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, expressed skepticism, citing the tight timeline for necessary modifications.
Air Force One is uniquely designed to withstand various threats, including a nuclear war, due to its embedded features that enable it to endure the electromagnetic pulse from a nuclear explosion. Cancian emphasized that such capabilities cannot simply be added in a short time frame. Trump has downplayed the criticism regarding his plan to accept the 13-year-old aircraft, which carries a list price of $400 million, labeling it a practical choice amidst delays in the delivery of two new Air Force One planes that he had renegotiated during his first term.
If Trump decides to accept the offer and acknowledges the associated risks of the Qatari plane lacking the sophisticated systems of Air Force One, he can proceed at his discretion. A former Air Force official noted that although Air Force One typically does not travel with fighter escorts, the Qatari plane may necessitate them to counter potential missile threats.
Due to the absence of essential electronic warfare and missile warning systems usually found on Air Force One, the Qatari aircraft may be deemed unsuitable for international travel, where security cannot be guaranteed in foreign airspace or airports. Air Force One rarely requires escorts due to its advanced defensive features, including flares and electronic jammers, which protect against missile attacks. However, escorts are occasionally utilized during overseas travel or under heightened national security concerns.
Experts have indicated that additional upgrades to the Qatari jet might include a comprehensive communications suite capable of handling sensitive functions for the White House and aircraft crew, as well as interior modifications to accommodate Trump, his staff, the Secret Service, and the press. These enhancements would likely necessitate collaboration with the U.S. military to install new security features and potentially new wiring before the aircraft could be deemed ready for presidential transport.
The Air Force One replacement program, initially proposed a decade ago, has faced chronic delays, with the delivery of two new 747-8s now scheduled for 2027, a three-year delay from the original timeline. Boeing was awarded a $3.9 billion contract in 2018 to produce the two aircraft for use as Air Force One, with costs subsequently escalating to at least $4.7 billion. The company has incurred $2.4 billion in charges related to the project.
Originally intended for the now-defunct Russian airline Transaero, the jets were repurposed to mitigate costs. However, Boeing has reported significant losses due to the expenses associated with retrofitting the planes. In February, Trump toured a Boeing 747-8 built for Qatar to draw attention to the ongoing delays in the Air Force One project, although the White House did not elaborate on the visit’s purpose.
The aircraft, previously operated by Qatar Amiri Flight, which provides private flights for the nation’s ruling family and government officials, was sold in 2023 to Global Jet Isle of Man, a private charter firm that remains tight-lipped about the transaction. Questions linger regarding the widely reported $400 million valuation of the jet, as analysts from Cirium suggest that a second-hand 747-8 might only command a quarter of that price, although the unique interior modifications could potentially increase its value beyond the aircraft itself.
This situation underscores the complexities involved in acquiring and modifying a former state aircraft for presidential use, particularly concerning security and operational capabilities.
