President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he is exploring the option of purchasing used Boeing aircraft to serve as Air Force One during his travels. This decision comes as a response to the delays faced by Boeing in producing two specially modified aircraft for presidential use.
Trump expressed his frustration with Boeing's slow progress, stating that alternatives are being considered due to the extended timeline. He mentioned the possibility of acquiring a second-hand Boeing plane from an overseas seller and converting it for presidential use.
While ruling out the purchase of Airbus aircraft, Trump emphasized his willingness to explore options from other countries. The current contract with Boeing involves the production of updated versions based on the Boeing 747-8 model, with delivery initially scheduled for 2024.
However, due to the complexities of modifying the planes to meet the stringent requirements of presidential travel and security clearances, the delivery timeline has been pushed back to 2027 and 2028 for the first and second aircraft, respectively.
The modifications for the new Air Force One planes include classified communications equipment, survivability enhancements, and self-contained air-stairs for versatile landing capabilities. Trump has already waived the air-to-air refueling capability, a feature present in the existing VC-25As.
During a recent visit to a newer Boeing 747-800 aircraft, Trump inspected the latest hardware and technology features while underscoring the delays in receiving the updated Air Force One planes. The possibility of purchasing and modifying used aircraft for this purpose was first reported by The New York Times.
As the discussions continue, Trump remains focused on securing a reliable and efficient solution for presidential air travel, ensuring that the necessary modifications are in place to meet the demands of his office.
