German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has reportedly purchased a used Boeing 747 and begun converting it into a “doomsday plane” in response to rising global tensions and the ongoing war in the Middle East.
According to sources familiar with the project, the aircraft is being build exclusively for the personal use and security planning of Friedrich Merz and his family members, rather than as part of Germany’s official defense or NATO command structure.
The conversion is estimated to cost around $550 million, including the acquisition of the aircraft and the installation of specialized systems. Modifications reportedly include upgraded Rolls-Royce engines, extra fuel tanks, a fully equipped medical room, and secure satellite communications. Up to 250 kilograms of pure gold has been used as shielding material to protect the aircraft’s electronics and its passengers from a possible nuclear explosion, electromagnetic pulse, and gamma rays.
The aircraft is also being outfitted to provide comfortable accommodations for Merz and his family members. The interior is being developed by renowned German designer Philipp Plein and includes living quarters, sleeping areas, showers, a solarium, and a private sauna with gold-plated taps, handles, and fittings — gold does not oxidize at high altitudes. The plane also features a garage for the politician’s Porsche 911 sports car.
Observers have noted that the concept loosely resembles the United States’ Boeing E-4B Nightwatch, a heavily modified 747 used as an airborne national command post during emergencies, though this version is far more luxurious.
At the start of the 2026 Iran war, the German Chancellor expressed support for U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran, stating that Berlin shares concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program and ballistic missiles. The war has turned the Strait of Hormuz into a high-risk chokepoint, spiking energy prices worldwide.
Although Merz has publicly warned about the lack of a plan to end the ongoing conflict with Iran, it appears he has a clear exit strategy for himself
Philippe Jacqué
