Questions are mounting over the defensive capabilities of President Donald Trump’s newly commissioned Air Force One after reports revealed the aircraft lacks some of the advanced protection systems found on the older presidential jet it is temporarily replacing.

The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar and placed into service earlier this year, reportedly does not carry all of the sophisticated defensive technology installed on the long-serving Air Force One fleet. The reported differences have fueled scrutiny as the United States remains on heightened alert over threats from Iran, according to The New York Times.

The New York Times and CBS News both reported that, after the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, the Secret Service recommended that Trump return to the United States aboard the older Air Force One rather than the newly modified aircraft.

According to the reports, officials made the recommendation out of an abundance of caution, citing the older aircraft’s superior communications equipment and more extensive defensive capabilities while tensions with Iran remain elevated.

Trump had initially traveled to Turkey aboard the newer presidential aircraft before transferring to the older Air Force One for the flight home.

After landing in the United Kingdom, Trump later resumed traveling aboard the newer jet.

The White House dismissed any suggestion that the president had been exposed to unnecessary danger.

“The new Air Force One is a state-of-the-art aircraft that has been fitted with high-level security protocols that ensure the safety of the president and his staff,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

The Air Force also defended the decision, saying “no risk was taken in security, safety, or mission communications,” while acknowledging that the interim aircraft does not yet possess every capability intended for the future permanent presidential fleet.

According to The New York Times, officials involved with the aircraft’s modifications said the donated plane is missing some of the highly advanced countermeasure systems installed on the current Air Force One, including sophisticated missile-defense technology.

CBS News reported that the older presidential aircraft is equipped with laser-based defenses and additional systems capable of countering incoming missile threats. However, officials declined to confirm whether those same technologies had been added to the Qatari aircraft.

Frank Kendall, who previously served as Air Force secretary, told The New York Times that he was surprised the aircraft entered international service so quickly, saying there likely was not enough time to complete all of the extensive upgrades typically required for an Air Force One aircraft.

“With the Iran situation, this could be of concern,” Kendall said.

The renewed focus on presidential security comes as U.S. officials continue to warn that Iran has long viewed Trump as a target following the 2020 operation that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. However, current intelligence reportedly has not uncovered any specific assassination plot connected to Trump’s overseas travel.

Trump himself addressed those concerns during the NATO summit, telling reporters Iran considers him “their number one target.”

Democratic lawmakers have pointed to the reports as evidence that the administration may have placed the aircraft into service before all of its planned upgrades were completed.

The White House has firmly rejected that criticism, insisting the aircraft is fully equipped to transport the president safely while Boeing continues work on the long-delayed next generation of permanent Air Force One aircraft.

{Matzav.com}