Trump Uses Qatar Jet as Air Force One, Luxurious but Security is Questioned

US President Donald Trump/DOK White House

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump has begun using a gift from Qatar, a Boeing 747-800 jet, as his new Air Force One. The $400 million plane is luxurious, but also raises questions about its ethics and security system.

Gulf News, quoted Thursday, July 2, reported that Trump made his maiden flight in the modified jet on Wednesday. The plane was painted in Trump's choice of colors, dark blue on the bottom, with red and gold stripes.

The interior is also luxurious. The plane is equipped with thick carpets, reclining seats, wooden panels, and presidential insignia on the seat belts.

"You can do two things. You can make it simple, or you can show it," Trump told reporters.

The jet from Qatar was prepared as a temporary aircraft. It will bridge the use of the old Air Force One, which has been operating for 36 years, with two new aircraft whose delivery is late and will arrive at the earliest in 2028.

However, the short time to work makes the modifications limited. Associated Press, based on an analysis of images since the plane was introduced, reported that the jet does not seem to have some missile detection and countermeasures systems as installed on the old Air Force One of the Cold War era.

The US Air Force said the cabin layout was only slightly changed. The cost of security upgrades was also said to be less than $400 million.

Jeremiah Gertler, a senior analyst at Teal Group, assessed that the absence of a number of systems and the number of communication antennas that appear to be fewer show that the Qatar jet is more suitable for domestic flights.

"If you're traveling long distances, you wear a nice big car. But if you're just driving around town, you can wear something simpler," Gertler said.

Trump said he plans to use the new plane next week when he attends the NATO summit in Turkey.

The gift from Qatar sparked ethical concerns. However, Trump considered the plane necessary to replace the old plane that had been transporting him as president.

"This is a gift from a country that has treated us very well," Trump said.