President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the Boeing 747-8 gifted by Qatar, which currently serves as a stopgap Air Force One, will be sent away for upgrades. The President stated that while the jet has a lot of capability, it will be taken out of commission to be maxed out.
The decision comes amid questions and swirling concerns regarding the plane's security features. Reports indicate that the Qatari-gifted aircraft lacks anti-missile defenses, and the upcoming enhancements will focus on adding additional security features later this year.
The upgrades are expected to take roughly a month to complete. During this period, the White House says President Trump will return to an older Air Force One.