President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that the Boeing 747-8 recently gifted by Qatar will soon undergo security upgrades. While currently serving as a stopgap Air Force One, the aircraft lacks certain defensive measures, prompting the planned modifications to ensure full presidential capabilities.
Security Upgrades and Timeline for the Qatari-Gifted Jet
President Trump addressed questions regarding the security features of the new aircraft while returning from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
“But as I understand it, in about a month or so, they’re gonna send it to have it be maxed out…It’ll take about a month.”
President Donald Trump, via Reuters
The aircraft, which features a distinctive red, white, dark blue, and gold livery, was refitted by defense contractor L3Harris Technologies. Bloomberg reported that the upcoming maintenance is intended to outfit the jet with the defensive measures and security features that the aircraft currently lacks compared to its predecessor.
For more on this story, see FIFA disciplinary chair al-Kamali overturns Balogun ban after Trump call.
Operational History and the Search for a Permanent Replacement
The jet entered presidential service on July 1, 2026, following an accelerated renovation process. However, its usage has been intermittent. On July 8, during a flight from Turkey to the United Kingdom, President Trump opted to fly on an older Air Force One model. He characterized the switch as a move made for old time’s sake
amid rising regional tensions with Iran. He later returned to the U.S. aboard the new Qatari-donated plane.
This follows our earlier report, Trump’s Interference Forces FIFA to Suspend Balogun’s Red-Card Ban Amid Political Backlash.
The current jet serves only as a temporary solution. The U.S. Air Force remains in a long-term contract with Boeing for two purpose-built 747-8 aircraft. That project, governed by a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract signed in 2018, has faced significant hurdles. The program is currently four years behind schedule and running over budget, with expected delivery not slated until mid-2028.
Ongoing Scrutiny Regarding the Aircraft Gift
The acceptance of the jet from Qatar has drawn criticism regarding the propriety of the gift and the speed of the security retrofitting process. Some experts have questioned whether the rapid upgrades provided by L3Harris Technologies match the security profile of the traditional “baby blue” Air Force One fleet.
Read also: 2026 World Cup: Winners to Receive Rings as Trump Plans Final Attendance.
The controversy has extended to the media, with legal developments involving journalists who covered the plane’s security features. According to reporting from Reuters, journalists from The New York Times were subpoenaed earlier in July to appear before a grand jury panel in Manhattan federal court. The publication is currently challenging those orders in an attempt to block the testimony.
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