Trump: Qatari Air Force One to get missile defense upgrade after journalist's query

A New York Times journalist asked President Trump why his Qatari-gifted interim Air Force One lacks missile defense systems. Trump said the plane has capabilities but will be grounded in about a month for a comprehensive upgrade, including missile defense, taking approximately a month, according to Israeli media reports.

President Donald Trump provided new details on the grounding of the Qatari interim Air Force One, responding directly to a New York Times journalist who noted the aircraft lacks missile defense systems. The exchange occurred as Trump returned from the World Cup final in New Jersey. Trump acknowledged that the plane has "a lot of capabilities" but said it will be sent for a comprehensive upgrade within about a month, taking approximately a month to complete. This follows The Zioneer's earlier report at 06:16 that the plane would be grounded for an upgrade amid missile defense concerns.

The aircraft, a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar, entered operational readiness in late June and was formally inaugurated by Trump on July 1. Since then, questions have been raised about its security features, including the lack of missile defense. The Zioneer reported on July 11 that the plane had no missile defense capability. The planned upgrade appears to address these concerns. The timeline for the grounding and upgrade is now clearer: the plane will be out of service for about a month, starting in approximately a month's time. It remains unclear what specific systems will be installed or whether the upgrade will fully address the missile defense gap.

4 developments

1. 12 hours ago · 13:05 · 20 JulLatest

   Aircraft pulled from service for one month for security upgrades.

2. 06:21 · 20 Jul

   Upgrade to take one month, starting in approximately one month.

3. 06:16 · 20 Jul

   Decision follows New York Times report on lack of missile defense.

• Developing06:18 · 23 JunTrump's interim Air Force One enters operational readiness
• Strong21:37 · 11 JulReport: Trump's Qatari aircraft lacks missile defense systems
• Strong21:09 · 20 JunTrump displays Qatar-gifted interim Air Force One in New York
• Strong22:09 · 11 JulUS administration investigates journalists over leak that Qatari plane was not secure enough for Trump, HaRadar reports

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