Is It Worth It?
Converting Qatar’s luxury jet into Air Force One could cost hundreds of millions and take years to accomplish. The overhaul raises security, legal, and ethical concerns, creating a torn debate over its necessity. So, continue reading to get into the cost of converting a luxury jet gifted to Trump into Air Force One.
A Gift With A Price Tag
The luxury jet from Qatar comes with significant costs. Converting a luxury jet gifted by Qatar to President Donald Trump into a replacement for Air Force One could potentially cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and it could take up to two years to install the necessary security equipment, communications, and defensive capabilities for it to be safely used.
Security Overhaul Required
Experts warn of espionage and surveillance risks. It has been estimated the jet is worth $400 million, but overhauling it, according to administration estimates the person has been briefed on, could cost as much as three times that or more.
Stripping It Down
The jet must be rebuilt to meet Air Force One standards. Even if used temporarily as Trump has said he would, US agencies would need to ensure there were no security vulnerabilities by essentially stripping the aircraft down to its frame and rebuilding it with the necessary communications and security equipment.
A Multi-Million Dollar Transformation
Estimates suggest costs could exceed $1 billion. Boeing has a $3.9 billion contract to replace the two Air Force One jets, but with the extra security, safety, and personal preferences modifications, this number will exceed even that ridiculously high number.
Time-Consuming Modifications
The conversion process could take years! Boeing has reported that a modified jet for Trump could take as long as 2 years to rebuild successfully. But remember, this is an estimated guess and could take even longer!
Ethical And Legal Concerns
Questions arise over accepting a foreign gift. A member of the Armed Services said accepting the jet would pose “immense counterintelligence risks by granting a foreign nation potential access to sensitive systems and communications.” Sounds risky.
Boeing’s Role In The Upgrade
The work required to get the luxury jet up to snuff is largely dependent on what requirements Trump would approve. But if the intention is to have the jet function as Air Force One does now, it would need to be retrofitted with a number of capabilities, which would be Boeing’s job.
Political Debate Intensifies
Lawmakers express concerns over national security. While the Air Force would largely oversee the rebuilding of the Qatari aircraft to meet security requirements, the project would also involve many government agencies, including the Secret Service, Central Intelligence Agency, and National Security Agency, which heightens domestic political debate.
Temporary Or Permanent Solution?
Trump suggests it’s a stopgap measure. Upgrading the Qatari jet would likely not exceed what has already been spent on the long-delayed Air Force One upgrade program, and Trump has made clear accepting the Qatari jet would only be a temporary solution.
The Future Of Air Force One
So, how does this decision impact presidential travel? The Secret Service has reported that they “highly doubt” the presidential administration would take the jet. With this, Qatar’s media said that the “possible transfer of an aircraft for temporary use as Air Force One” is “under consideration.”
