President Donald Trump confirmed that the Qatari Air Force One will undergo upgrades within the next month. The announcement comes as security experts raise questions about the plane’s defensive capabilities. Trump made the remarks after returning from the FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey.

The president stepped off the aircraft at Joint Base Andrews and addressed reporters directly. He was asked specifically about the jet’s missile-defence systems. His response confirmed that further modifications are already planned.

Trump Confirms Upgrade Timeline for the Jet

Trump told reporters the plane already has considerable capability. However, he acknowledged that additional work remains before it meets full requirements. “It has a lot of capability but, as I understand it, in about a month or so they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out,” he said.

He repeated the timeline moments later for emphasis. “They’re going to be sending it, and they’ll have it be maxed out. It’ll take about a month,” he added. This confirms the Qatari Air Force One will remain in active use until the scheduled upgrade begins.

The jet, valued at roughly US$400 million, was donated by Qatar earlier this year. Since then, it has served as the president’s primary aircraft on select trips. Meanwhile, questions about its readiness for high-security missions have continued to grow.

Security Concerns Behind the Move

Concerns about the aircraft first gained wider attention earlier this month. Trump unexpectedly switched planes during his return from a NATO summit in Turkiye. Instead of flying the Qatari jet home, he sent it ahead to Mildenhall air base in England.

Trump explained the decision at the time. He said the swap simply gave U.S. service members stationed at the base “a chance to tour the Aircraft.” Nevertheless, subsequent reporting suggested the reasoning ran deeper than a routine visit.

CNN reported that two U.S. officials described a different picture. According to these officials, security personnel felt more comfortable with the president aboard the older aircraft. That plane was built from the ground up with presidential safety as a core requirement.

By contrast, the Qatari-donated jet was retrofitted after its donation rather than built specifically for the role. Two sources familiar with the matter said this newer plane lacked some of the same protective capabilities. A third source disputed that claim, stating it carries many of the same safety features as the older aircraft.

The New York Times also previously reported on these security concerns. As a result, scrutiny around the Qatari Air Force One has intensified across multiple news outlets. The overlapping reports point to genuine disagreement among officials about the jet’s readiness.

White House Investigation Into the Leak

The security disclosures triggered a significant reaction inside the administration. CNN reported that a major White House investigation was launched to identify the source of the leaked information. Some officials were reportedly asked to surrender their phones to investigators while on White House grounds.

Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that Trump was frustrated by the disclosures. In addition, the investigation reflects how seriously the administration is treating the leak. Consequently, the probe adds another layer of tension to an already sensitive situation.

Despite the controversy, Trump’s latest comments suggest a clear path forward. The plane will continue flying missions for roughly another month. After that, it will be sent for the promised upgrades to address the outstanding security gaps.

What Comes Next for Air Force One

The coming weeks will determine how quickly the Qatari Air Force One meets full presidential security standards. Officials have not detailed exactly which systems will be enhanced during the upgrade process. However, missile-defence capability appears to be a central focus based on Trump’s own remarks.

For now, the aircraft remains part of the presidential fleet alongside older, purpose-built planes. Once the upgrades are complete, it is expected to take on a larger share of presidential travel. Until then, questions about its capabilities are likely to persist among security officials and reporters alike.