United States President Donald Trump has unveiled a new temporary Air Force One aircraft at a hangar in Joint Base Andrews, marking a significant addition to the presidential fleet.
The aircraft, a customised Boeing 747-8 valued at approximately Sh51.7 billion ($400 million), was gifted by the government of Qatar last year and is expected to serve alongside the current presidential aircraft, according to CBS News.
The newly designated VC-25B Bridge immediately stands out with its striking red, white, dark blue, and gold livery.
During the unveiling, Trump highlighted the aircraft's distinctive new look, which features a bold red stripe and a large waving American flag painted on both sides of the tail fin.
This marks a major departure from the traditional Kennedy-era blue and white design seen on previous presidential aircraft for over six decades.
"There will never be one like this. This is very unique. This is considered the world's most luxurious plane," President Trump said. "When it was built, it was built at a level that will probably never be seen again," he added during a speech to hundreds of assembled Air Force personnel.
Photos of the behemoth were first shared by Daniel Scavino, who is the White House deputy chief of staff, director of White House personnel, and assistant to the president.
Trump stepped off the plane in a dramatic flourish as his signature tune played, adding that the quality of materials and the engines represent the absolute finest in aviation.
While the base value of the commercial aircraft sits at $400 million, the true financial scale of the project comes from its defence retrofitting.
Independent estimates and military briefings indicate that modifying the jet with military-grade systems cost between hundreds of millions of dollars and $1 billion, with critics raising concerns after reports emerged that nearly $934 million was quietly diverted from an intercontinental ballistic missile modernisation program to fund the upgrade.
The Boeing 747-8 represents a significant upgrade from the older VC-25A aircraft currently serving as Air Force One.
The existing planes are based on the Boeing 747-200B, a model that entered service more than three decades ago during the administration of George H.W. Bush.
While the older aircraft can carry approximately 70 passengers, the newer platform offers greater space, improved fuel efficiency, advanced communications systems, and enhanced operational capabilities.
At nearly 76 meters long, the Boeing 747-8 is the largest version of the iconic jumbo jet.
The aircraft boasts a range of over 14,000 kilometers, allowing it to undertake long-haul international missions without frequent refueling. Its spacious interior includes secure communications facilities, meeting rooms, workspaces for presidential staff, and accommodations designed to function as a fully operational airborne command center.
The unveiling comes just after Trump returned from the G7 summit in Europe. Trump revealed that the older aircraft used for his recent trip may have completed its final presidential mission, noting that the aging fleet could soon be retired to museums due to its deep historical significance.
White House officials have already begun posting farewell tributes to the decades-old plane on social media.
The new interim aircraft carries a crew of roughly 26 and has a passenger capacity of up to 76 people.
This capacity allows the massive wide-body aircraft to comfortably accommodate senior aides, advisors, Secret Service personnel, traveling press, and specialized support staff.
The Air Force confirmed that the jet has entered its final phase of government modifications and will soon begin a series of critical commissioning flights.
These flights serve as a final exam to allow the White House team to validate mission capabilities and finalize security protocols before the president officially begins regular travel on the plane.
Trump dismissed critics of the donation on social media, questioning why taxpayers should be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars when the military could get an aircraft for free.
The administration has spent the past ten months retrofitting the jet with encrypted technologies and hardened defences.
The arrival of the VC-25B Bridge signals a stopgap chapter for the presidential fleet.
It is intended to relieve pressure on the heavily maintained older planes until a permanent pair of newly built Boeing replacements is delivered, a program currently facing delays until 2028.
Photos: Courtesy, Daniel Scavigno