Trump says Qatari-donated Air Force One will undergo upgrades within a month

President Donald Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews that the Qatar-donated aircraft, which has been serving as Air Force One, will be sent for upgrades and is expected to be "maxed out" within about a month. The comment came after questions about the plane’s missile-defense systems and reports that it lacks some of the security features of the older presidential jet.

"It has a lot of capability but, as I understand it, in about a month or so they’re going to send it to have it be maxed out," Trump said.

The jet, purchased for roughly $400 million, has faced scrutiny since President Trump switched to a different aircraft after a NATO summit in Turkey, citing a desire to allow service members at Mildenhall Air Base to tour the plane. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the newer aircraft does not have the same level of protective capabilities as the previous, purpose-built presidential plane, though a third source said many features are comparable.

The White House has been investigating leaks about the aircraft’s security shortcomings, with senior staff and the FBI reportedly involved in the effort. The New York Times, which first reported on the issue, said several of its reporters were subpoenaed as part of the investigation.