The Pentagon accepts a new aircraft from Qatar for use as Air Force One for President Donald Trump
The Qatari prime minister stressed that the transaction is part of the ongoing cooperation between them and The U.S., although it has generated controversy among U.S. politicians.
The U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, accepted a Qatar Boeing 747 that President Donald Trump will use. The Pentagon must apply some changes, which will include "security measures and functional requests for the mission," according to a spokesperson from the Department.
“The Secretary of Defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,” said Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell. “The Department of Defense will work to ensure that appropriate security measures and functional mission requirements are considered for an aircraft used to transport the President of the United States.”
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Why is Qatar giving a plane to the U.S.?
According to Bloomberg, Qatar's Prime Minister said the plane transaction was made between their Defense Minister and the U.S. Department of Defense. He also emphasized that it is part of the ongoing cooperation between the two nations over time.
The ongoing talks about the transfer were publicly revealed earlier this month. This has generated political uproar. Several influential Republicans—and even some Democrats—are against the acquisition.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, accepted the Boeing 747 from Qatar after negotiations with them since early this May. Photo: AFP News
What did President Donald Trump say about the plane?
President Donald Trump was asked about the reports that confirmed the plane acquisition. He was optimistic about it, saying that Qatar “is giving an airplane to the U.S. Air Force, and it's a great thing.”
Donald Trump has repeatedly promoted this new plane as a possible replacement for the historic Air Force One, the official presidential aircraft. On his Truth Social account, the President referred to it as a "free gift" from Qatar.
Despite that, many officials have told CNN that the modernization process could take up to two years and may cost several times the plane’s original value. The agencies in charge of the overhaul would need to dismantle the aircraft to its core and rebuild it with the necessary new equipment.
