Neočekivani potez Trumpa: Zašto je usred putovanja iz Ankare promijenio Air Force One?

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump made an unexpected decision during his return trip from Turkey, opting to switch aircraft mid-journey. He departed Turkey aboard the older Air Force One and then boarded a new presidential jet in the United Kingdom before continuing his flight to Washington, D.C. This new aircraft was a gift from Qatar, a Boeing 747 that had been modified for presidential use. The move came amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, adding layers of complexity to the already high-profile travel.

Trump had traveled to Turkey for the NATO summit using this very same new plane, which marked its first international journey. However, the decision to switch aircraft was not without controversy. For months prior, there had been discussions about whether to temporarily replace the current Air Force One with this luxurious donation while Boeing delayed the delivery of the new presidential jets. The timing of the switch raised questions among analysts and officials alike, though Trump did not directly address concerns about potential threats during an interview in Ankara.

During a press conference following the NATO summit, Trump made a startling remark, stating, “I am first on the Iranian hit list for liquidation.” While he did not confirm if this statement was related to the change in aircraft, he acknowledged the existence of such dangers. His comments were met with mixed reactions, ranging from concern to skepticism regarding the implications of his remarks.

The new Air Force One, customized according to Trump's preferences, features red, white, dark blue, and gold colors. It was modernized by the American defense company L3Harris Technologies, transforming a standard Boeing 747 into a state-of-the-art presidential aircraft. Despite these modifications, some experts expressed doubts about the safety and security measures compared to the existing Air Force One. They pointed out that additional safeguards, including communication protection against eavesdropping and anti-missile defenses, would have needed to be integrated into the new plane.

Critics, particularly among Democratic representatives, estimated that the retrofitting process alone cost more than a billion dollars, raising concerns about both the financial burden and the security of the new aircraft. Nevertheless, U.S. military officials insisted that the plane meets all necessary security standards for transporting the president. In preparation for this temporary replacement, the U.S. Air Force accelerated the readiness of the Qatari aircraft, skipping certain planned modifications intended for the next generation of presidential aircraft.

Meanwhile, Boeing continues working on delivering two new presidential 747-8 aircraft under a contract worth $3.9 billion signed in 2018. However, the project has faced delays, with deliveries now expected to begin in mid-2028. This means the new American Air Force One might not be ready until after Trump's term ends in January 2029. The program's costs have exceeded five billion dollars, and Boeing has recorded losses exceeding several billions due to the delays.

As Trump returned to the United States, he was seen boarding the newly customized Air Force One in the UK. The transition from the older model to the new one highlighted the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding the procurement and maintenance of presidential aircraft. With the geopolitical climate increasingly volatile, especially concerning relations with Iran, the choice of aircraft for such high-profile travels remains a topic of significant interest and scrutiny.

The incident underscores the broader issues facing the U.S. government as it navigates the logistics of presidential travel amidst political and economic uncertainties. As the nation awaits the arrival of the new Air Force One, the current situation serves as a reminder of the intricate balance required between security, cost, and operational readiness in ensuring the safe transport of the president.

The future of the presidential aircraft program will likely depend on resolving the delays with Boeing and addressing the concerns raised by critics regarding the safety and cost-effectiveness of the current arrangements. Until then, the use of the Qatari-donated aircraft remains a focal point in the ongoing discourse about national security and executive transportation protocols.