President Donald Trump departed Ankara on his old Air Force One rather than the new Qatari-gifted aircraft after the Secret Service advised him to do so over security concerns, the New York Times reported Thursday. Trump initially denied the change was due to security, but later hinted it may be linked to threats from Iran. The old plane, equipped with countermeasures against surface-to-air missiles, reportedly lacks some capabilities present in the new aircraft.
The New York Times reported Thursday morning that President Donald Trump’s decision to depart Ankara on his older aircraft instead of the new Qatari-gifted jet was prompted by a Secret Service security warning. Trump later hinted the move may be linked to threats from Iran, after initially denying security concerns and saying he wanted to show the new plane to troops.
The sequence began Wednesday evening, when Trump told reporters he does not deny reports of a flight change over security concerns, calling himself Iran’s “number one” target. He then departed Ankara on the older plane, as The Zioneer reported at 22:02 Jerusalem. The NYT report adds that the older aircraft is equipped with countermeasures against surface-to-air missiles, including a system to “blind” incoming missiles and chaff decoys. It is unclear whether the Qatari-gifted plane, which Trump has pressed to enter service quickly, has those capabilities installed.
The developments occurred during the NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump discussed restoring Turkey’s F-35 access, as The Zioneer reported earlier this week. The Qatari-gifted aircraft, described as the world’s most luxurious interim Air Force One, was presented in New York last month.
The exact nature of the security concern remains unclear, and the Secret Service has not publicly commented. Trump’s hint at an Iran link has not been elaborated.
6 developments
- StrongTrump displays Qatar-gifted interim Air Force One in New York
- DevelopingTrump's interim Air Force One enters operational readiness
- StrongTrump inaugurates Qatar-gifted Boeing 747 as official aircraft: 'Couldn't get that from anyone else'
- StrongTrump, before maiden flight on Qatari jet: Iran nuclear disarmament 'moving along well'
Source and signal
- Internal intake