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Trump Says Qatari Jet Could Be Ready for Use as Air Force One in 6 Months. Experts Are Deeply Skeptical | News Channel 3-12
TEXAS, AUG 10 – The donated Boeing 747-8 will serve as a temporary presidential aircraft until 2029, with renovation costs estimated under $400 million, funded partly by reallocating missile program resources.
- On August 8, 2025, the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 N7478D was flown from Fort Worth to Waco, Texas, for initial inspections and refurbishment work.
- This donation follows a July 7, 2025 memorandum of understanding signed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatar's defense minister outlining an "unconditional donation" of the plane.
- Preparations for the plane's refit have begun, with senior officials reviewing interior schematics and plans to retrofit it for presidential use under tight timelines and budget constraints.
- Air Force Secretary Troy Meink estimated the retrofit cost would be less than $400 million, though experts and some senators expressed skepticism about the short timeframe and security requirements.
- If completed, the jet could serve as a bridge Air Force One aircraft potentially ready by February 2026, but officials warn it may lack full Air Force One capabilities without waived requirements.
17 Articles
17 Articles
By Alexandra Skores, CNN President Donald Trump told reporters last month that the donated Qatari plane could be ready for use as Air Force One by February 2026, well ahead of the long-delayed delivery of two Boeing presidential jets through a more traditional procurement process. “They’re saying February,” Trump said in late July, when a reporter asked him when he expected to fly on the new plane. “Way sooner than the other ones. The other ones…
Trump says Qatari jet could be ready for use as Air Force One in 6 months. Experts are deeply skeptical
President Donald Trump told reporters last month the donated Qatari jet could be ready for his use as Air Force One in February 2026, well ahead of the long-delayed delivery of two presidential planes from Boeing through a more traditional acquisition process.
The president says the Qatar plane could be ready in six months.
Trump says Qatari jet could be ready for use as Air Force One in 6 months. Experts are deeply skeptical - Egypt Independent
President Donald Trump told reporters last month the donated Qatari jet could be ready for his use as Air Force One in February 2026, well ahead of the long-delayed delivery of two presidential planes from Boeing through a more traditional acquisition process.
Qatar-Donated 747-8 Spotted In Texas Ahead Of 'Air Force One' Refit
The VIP-configured B747-8, which will be converted into Air Force One, was photographed departing Alliance Fort Worth en route to Waco. On Aug. 8, the Boeing 747-8 N7478D, donated by Qatar to U.S. President Donald Trump, was photographed at Alliance Fort Worth, Texas, departing southbound to Waco, Texas, most probably for the first round of […] The post Qatar-Donated 747-8 Spotted In Texas Ahead Of ‘Air Force One’ Refit appeared first on The Avi…
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