Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Joe Sommerlad

Experts warn Trump’s new Air Force One may lack key missile defenses

President Donald Trump returns to Joint Base Andrews on July 09, 2026 in Washington, DC - (Getty)

A luxury jet, gifted by Qatar and upgraded by the U.S. Air Force, is being used as a presidential plane, with modifications costing an estimated $1 billion.

Industry experts and former Air Force officials warn the aircraft may lack advanced antimissile capabilities, potentially leaving it vulnerable outside U.S. airspace.

The president used the plane for trips to North Dakota and Turkey, but returned from Turkey on an older Air Force One due to Secret Service concerns over renewed threats from Iran.

Former officials expressed alarm, stating that the one-year retrofitting period was insufficient to install all necessary security modifications for presidential travel.

While White House officials assert the plane is state-of-the-art and secure, lawmakers have questioned whether security upgrades were compromised for personal comfort.

IN FULL

Qatari jet that flew Trump to Nato summit lacks key defense features of old Air Force One, report says

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.