Qatar's $400 million jet offered as free Air Force One stop-gap, but security and tech overhauls would cost millions

[midian182]

A hot potato: Donald Trump and his administration are set to receive a luxurious $400 million new plane from Qatar that will be used as a temporary Air Force One for the president. The plane is a free gift, but the "flying palace" could end up costing taxpayers millions as it will need to be retrofitted to install the safety and security features required by a POTUS.

Trump has expressed his displeasure at Boeing falling behind on a $3.8 billion project to replace the Air Force One fleet. The company initially aimed to deliver two new Air Force One planes by 2024, but Air Force acquisition official Darlene Costello told Congress last week that delivery could be around 2027, and only if Boeing and the government can come to agreements on certain requirements – the White House believes the planes might not be ready until 2029.

But the Qatari Defense Ministry is gifting a Boeing 747-8 to the Pentagon to serve as a temporary Air Force one until the new planes arrive.

Qatar's plane, once owned by the country's government, is adorned with gold-colored walls, luxury carpeting, leather couches, and other opulent features. Trump previously lamented the condition of Air Force one, calling it "much less impressive" than the planes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. "You know, we're the United States of America. I believe that we should have the most impressive plane," Trump said.

Qatar says the plane is a gift to the US Department of Defense for successfully defending Qatar "for many years," according to a Truth Social post from Trump, who added that it would be "stupid" not to accept the aircraft.

But while Qatar is gifting the $400 million plane, it will require a huge amount of taxpayer-funded work to turn it into a suitable Air Force One.

The work includes upgrading the communications capabilities so the plane can be used as a situation room. Air Force One's air-to-ground, air-to-air, and satellite comms systems rival those of the White House. It also has a highly secure internal phone system alongside an open one.

In addition to advanced, secure comms, Air Force One needs to carry weapon countermeasures in case of a missile attack. The electronics need to be shielded as much as possible to protect against an electromagnetic pulse following a nuclear explosion, and the hull and other areas need to be armored. Not to mention elements such a medical bay with a full suite of equipment.

Something else that is going to take a lot of time and money is checking the plane for any hidden surveillance or tracking systems, including in the software and hardware, which may have to be replaced to ensure total security.

Former Air Force acquisitions chief Andrew Hunter told Politico that retrofitting costs would likely fall "in the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars." It would also take years to complete, with some estimating the plane wouldn't be ready until 2030, after Trump has left office and the official Boeing Air Force One fleet has arrived.

Masthead: Sean Foster. images: Spotti Flight, AMAC Aerospace

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Qatar's $400 million jet offered as free Air Force One stop-gap, but security and tech overhauls would cost millions

 

[n3o127]

Even if we built another Air Force One (ourselves), it would take year(s) and millions to custom fit it with all the same needs and wants -- less of course having the base cost of building the entire plane (by starting with already built ready to customize plane). It's a great topic for haters and article clicks.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Not to mention they don’t have Harrison Ford on board to prevent hijacking… GET OFF MY PLANE!

 

[seeprime]

Even if we built another Air Force One (ourselves), it would take year(s) and millions to custom fit it with all the same needs and wants -- less of course having the base cost of building the entire plane (by starting with already built ready to customize plane). It's a great topic for haters and article clicks.

Boeing got the contract ten years ago. They won't have their current plane ready for many more years. What happened to Boeing? They used to work hard and innovative. Now, they just seem lazy and sloppy. Hence, the plane gift, which can be retro fitted years faster than Boeing can finish their current contract.

 

[DrSuess]

Yes, this will be quite the waste of money and no other President would ever use I. But knowing Trump he will try to cancel the AF-1 program all together.

 

[BabaYaga]

The biggest issue is that this bribe is not to the President of the US, it's to Trump himself. DoD is taking ownership of it temporarily then gifting it to Trump himself at the end of his term for his private use. His jet is probably falling apart and wants a new one for free and to use tax payer funding to retrofit it for himself and his family.

 

[passingposeidon]

How comfy the seats are, how much gold is plastered on the wall, is just superficial nonsense. It's like saying a good leader needs a Ferrari. They don't. What matters is that it's safe and effective for its purpose. I think a good leader should be less interested in ostentatious displays of wealth, and more focused on inspiring good values in their people.

 

[wiyosaya]

Boeing got the contract ten years ago. They won't have their current plane ready for many more years. What happened to Boeing? They used to work hard and innovative. Now, they just seem lazy and sloppy. Hence, the plane gift, which can be retro fitted years faster than Boeing can finish their current contract.

A better story on what it would take to make this "gold-plated piece of crap" into Air Force One is here - https://www.defensenews.com/air/202...r-force-one-may-be-security-upgrade-disaster/

“If [Trump] wants all the capabilities and features of Air Force One, this would be a step backwards,” Aboulafia said. “They’d have to start over again with what they’ve been working on with the other 747-8” under the VC-25B program.

Upgrading a 747 from scratch with those capabilities could take into the 2030s, Aboulafia said, and cost “billions and billions” of dollars.

Yet another of Trump's "big, beautiful, deals" that are not so big and beautiful.

 

[Vulcanproject]

What even is the problem with the existing aircraft hanging on two more years? Yes they're old and the costs to maintain them are rising, but it's only two more years, maximum three. This thing would cost far more to be suitable.

I don't understand what the rush is, apart from Trump wanting a bribe disguised as a flying palace.

 

[wiyosaya]

The biggest issue is that this bribe is not to the President of the US, it's to Trump himself. DoD is taking ownership of it temporarily then gifting it to Trump himself at the end of his term for his private use. His jet is probably falling apart and wants a new one for free and to use tax payer funding to retrofit it for himself and his family.

And his MAGA base are not happy about it. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-qatar-luxury-jet-maga-republicans-reaction-pushback-2025-5

 

[wiyosaya]

How comfy the seats are, how much gold is plastered on the wall, is just superficial nonsense. It's like saying a good leader needs a Ferrari. They don't. What matters is that it's safe and effective for its purpose. I think a good leader should be less interested in ostentatious displays of wealth, and more focused on inspiring good values in their people.

IMO, you are not describing any of Trump's attributes except those that line his pockets.

 

[Str8Shot]

Somehow, this “gift” isn’t considered a “National Security” risk, the same argument being used to buy (or take over) Greenland by the same Manchurian Candidate. How people can’t see what a charade politics is, especially at this point, is beyond the pale.

 

[Vulcanproject]

A better story on what it would take to make this "gold-plated piece of crap" into Air Force One is here - https://www.defensenews.com/air/202...r-force-one-may-be-security-upgrade-disaster/


Yet another of Trump's "big, beautiful, deals" that are not so big and beautiful.

This is what I understand. I'm not particularly versed on AF1. I know they're over 30 years old, but also probably had a bunch of upgrades at some point in their life. Unless the airframe is completely done and AFAIK that's not the case no other aircraft could be considered suitable for use by POTUS.

As old as they are one assumes it's loaded with the requisite encrypted secure comms. Sufficient bandwidth for the press, lots of space and comfort for civilian staff, critical command and control functions, unique classified electronic warfare and probably anti air systems etc.

No other aircraft in the world would really meets all these requirements. Having the president fly around on anything else on official business sounds like a worse option. Even if they are old and dated now and costs a few million dollars more to see it through til 2028 or whatever.

The only reason I can see is he wants a flying palace with gaudy decoration that makes him feel like a king. Then perhaps keep it after his term ends, who knows with this guy. It's pure ego and looks dirty. There is no benefit to the American people here.

Apart from maybe if he's on it and it was attacked it'll get taken out whereas AF1 would probably survive lol

 

[Trapped Nowhere]

Trump is either a genius or leaders have learned how to manipulate him. He was just talking about them funding terrorism in a few years ago, now he's building businesses there and snagged a plane.

 

[brucek]

The base 747 is the least expensive part of Air Force One. Particularly since this once popular airframe has been widely decommissioned by airlines around the world for lack of fuel efficiency. There are many of them sitting in airplane boneyards including ones in decent condition at the moment of their retirement. If DoD wanted one, or a dozen, I'm sure it could have arranged it at a good price.

Accepting an Air Force One that has been handled by another government is unbelievably stupid. It is likely loaded head to toe with sophisticated espionage equipment supplied by every intelligence service that can find Qatar on a map.

If the issue is he doesn't think the current one is comfortable or regal enough just let him pick out the chair he wants and assign a suitable team to get it installed ASAP.

 

[unoficialoficial]

The god likes donkeys for transportation, so be careful — maybe it will stop blessing America if the president switches to a fancy Air Force One plane.