Defense Dept. accepts Qatari jet
13-year-old Boeing 747 may serve as Air Force One after significant upgrades and renovations
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - A Boeing 747, first owned by the Qatari royal family, will now become U.S. property.
The plane was offered to President Donald Trump during his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and the offer was quickly criticized by both the president’s ers and opponents.
At a Senate hearing, a top Pentagon official confirmed that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, “has already directed the Air Force to basically start planning to modify the aircraft,”
The Pentagon has issued a statement confirming, “The secretary of defense has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations,”
During an Oval Office press interaction with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, President Donald Trump appeared to confirm the transfer of the jet.
“They are giving the United States Air Force a jet.”
The gift of a 13-year-old Boeing 747 from Qatar has faced wide-ranging criticism, from both ers and detractors of President Trump.
For starters, it will cost hundreds of millions to renovate and upgrade the plane to meet communications and security standards.
Boeing is years behind schedule on its contract to replace the current jets known as Air Force One with new planes.
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