Why Did Trump Backtrack on Using Qatar's New Plane While Leaving Turkey?

SadaNews - The New York Times reported that U.S. President Donald Trump left the NATO summit in Ankara yesterday evening aboard the old U.S. presidential plane "Air Force One," instead of the new plane received as a gift from Qatar, based on a specific security recommendation from the U.S. Secret Service, amid military developments related to Iran, according to SadaNews translation.

The newspaper quoted sources familiar with the capabilities of the new plane stating that it does not include all the defensive capabilities available in the old plane. It added that the decision to change the plane just before takeoff from Turkey came as a precautionary measure recommended by the Secret Service, not as a result of a specific security threat.

For his part, Trump denied that the change of the plane was made for security reasons, confirming that the aim was to allow the new plane to take off early and to stop at U.S. military bases to showcase it to the troops, as it is - in his description - a "luxurious plane" - according to SadaNews translation.

However, Trump later hinted that the decision might be related to threats directed against him. The newspaper noted that upon his departure from Ankara, Trump boarded the old plane unusually quickly before accompanying journalists could see or photograph him during his boarding, contrary to standard procedures. All passengers were also asked to close the window curtains before taking off.

The plane landed late at night at Mildenhall Air Base, from where Trump then transferred to the new plane to continue his journey to Washington.

After takeoff, the U.S. President admitted that the change of the plane "might be related to Iranian threats."

The old presidential plane is distinguished by advanced defensive systems, including a system dedicated to jamming anti-aircraft missiles and rendering them unable to hit their targets, in addition to defensive means that release fine metallic strips (Chaff) to deceive missiles and divert their trajectory according to SadaNews translation. It remains unclear whether these defensive capabilities have also been equipped on the new plane donated by Qatar, amidst pressures exerted by Trump to have it put into service quickly.