There is clearly a lack of confidence surrounding the new Air Force One, a gift from Qatar. By switching planes at the last minute to leave a NATO summit in Turkey, Donald Trump this week raised numerous security concerns surrounding his new presidential jet. However, flying to Ankara on this converted Boeing 747, the American president did not hide his delight, calling the aircraft “truly exceptional.” “But once there, Donald Trump suddenly refused to use it to leave the country.
The luxury jet flew to the United Kingdom without the president for what he said was a visit from US troops while he traveled in an older model. According to representatives of the Qatari royal family, the new plane is not equipped with the same protection systems as its predecessors. New York Times.
Renewed tensions with Iran
The American press also claims that the change of aircraft was recommended by its security service at a time of renewed tensions with Iran, a country bordering Turkey. Journalists on Air Force One were also ordered to keep their window blinds down. At first, Donald Trump denied any threat.
But after changing planes in the UK to fly back to Washington on a new plane, he referred to alleged assassination attempts by Iran: “You’re probably on a dangerous flight because of the bastards we have to deal with.” »
There are no details about state defense weapons.
“The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft equipped with high-level security protocols to ensure the protection of the President and his team,” White House communications director Stephen Chung said in a statement to AFP on Friday. “We are using every means at our disposal to counter” threats against the president, he continued. The day before, he mentioned in the American media the existence of tools for “distraction and disorientation.” During questioning, the Secret Service referred to the White House.
While no details have been released, it has been reported that the older Air Force One model is equipped with sophisticated defense systems, including radar jamming and anti-missile decoys. Whether this equipment is present in the new device is unknown. But the elements visible on the old ones are not visible on the new ones.
Two new Boeings are under construction
The Qatari royal family gifted the luxury jet to Donald Trump last year after the latter complained about the condition of two aging Air Force One planes, which have been in service since 1990. The Qatari aircraft was quickly converted by the US Air Force for its first flight on July 1 to North Dakota. But the US Army has previously admitted it had to make compromises, particularly on the internal layout, to get it into service quickly. “There were no security, safety or communications risks, but the team made arbitration decisions” on other aspects, the Air Force explained in a press release in June.
Democratic senators formally asked the Air Force to explain the “real national security issues.” Former soldiers also expressed their doubts. “No matter how much you outfit a Qatari aircraft, it will never be built from the ground up to have the defensive capabilities of a custom Air Force One,” John Teichert, a former Air Force officer, said on Fox News. The Qatari plane will be used pending the delivery of two new Boeings in the coming years after serial delays.