The popularity of a luxurious Boeing 747 from Qatar by US president Donald Trump has sparked concern in the intelligence and political circles, with experts warning of significant security and social risks. The spectacular 89-seater aircraft, which was once used by older Qatari imperial Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, has lavish interiors by Parisian firm Alberto Pinto, including Tai Ping rugs, uncommon woodwork, and artwork that is unique. However, a growing issue among intelligence veterans and lawmakers is hidden behind its sophistication: ability international surveillance and jeopardized communications systems. Former CIA train captain Thad Troy recalled Cold War-era espionage strategies employed by enemies, saying,” We would perhaps have bugged the plane if we had built it knowing it was going to a foreign government.” Troi said any airplane supplied by a foreign power could be easily embedded in secret monitoring or listening devices, which is a challenging intelligence threat to neutralize. Not a fictional problem. He cited the method of reconstructing the British embassy in Moscow from scratch to piece by piece. Senate Intelligence Committee chairman Mark Warner, a US senator, echoed those concerns, calling Trump’s acceptance of the jet “incredibly foolish.” From affected communications systems to monitoring equipment, a foreign-provided aircraft poses a number of potential security risks, according to Warner’s statement to Bloomberg. It would be almost impossible to thoroughly inspect a planes like that for spying tools or safety concerns, he added. The plane, which was constructed in 2012, may need extensive retrofitting to adhere to Air Force One standards, including protected communications, explosion-resistant surfaces, and flying refueling capabilities. Yet a thorough examination for spyware, according to intelligence officials, could take months, which is a significant factor in the development of national plane from the ground up. Trump defended the Qatari offer, saying that he had ordered two fresh Air Force One planes during his term but had criticized Boeing for their difficulties in supply. Trump remarked,” Some folks say, oh, you don’t accept donations for the country.” Why doesn’t I take a gift, I ask myself? We’re giving to everyone else, he said. Trump remarked that the US government should frequently have the “most amazing plane” and that Gulf monarchies frequently have better plane than the US government.
