The Pentagon mentioned Wednesday that it had formally accepted a luxurious airliner from Qatar that President Donald Trump has mentioned can be retrofitted to function Air Drive One throughout his presidency.
“The secretary of protection has accepted a Boeing 747 from Qatar in accordance with all federal guidelines and laws,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell mentioned. “The Division of Protection will work to make sure correct safety measures and functional-mission necessities are thought-about for an plane used to move the President of the US.”
The aircraft is estimated to be price about $400 million, making it one of the vital invaluable items ever acquired by the U.S. authorities, and would require in depth upgrades earlier than it may be used for presidential journey.
The transaction has raised moral considerations from Democrats and a few Republicans, who fear that it might be an try by a overseas authorities to realize favor with the Trump Administration.
Nationwide safety specialists have additionally warned that accepting a second-hand aircraft from one other authorities to function the presidential plane might pose safety dangers. It might take years to retrofit and set up upgraded safety and communications programs, they are saying, and such upgrades might value greater than $1 billion. Sometimes, Congress critiques and approves spending for brand new Pentagon packages.
Trump has repeatedly defended the present as a “gesture” or “contribution” from Qatar’s royal household, which hosted him final week throughout his go to to the Center East, claiming that the transaction would save People tax {dollars} for the reason that U.S. authorities isn’t paying for the airliner. Trump has lengthy been searching for a strategy to exchange the growing old presidential planes after he was advised that Boeing couldn’t ship new jets for one more two years.
“I’d by no means be one to show down that form of a suggestion,” Trump mentioned on Might 12. “I imply, I might be a silly particular person and say, ‘No, we do not need a free, very costly airplane.’ But it surely was, I assumed it was an incredible gesture.”
Trump has mentioned the airliner could be given to his presidential library after he leaves workplace.
Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on Monday rejected the concept that his nation is making an attempt to affect Trump.
“I don’t know why folks—they’re considering that is thought-about as a bribery or thought-about as, one thing that Qatar desires to purchase and affect with this Administration,” he mentioned. “I don’t see any, actually, a legitimate motive for that.”
“We’re a rustic that wish to have robust partnership and powerful friendship, and something that we offer to any nation, it’s offered out of respect for this partnership and it’s a two-way relationship,” he added. “It’s mutually helpful for Qatar and for the US.”
The Air Drive mentioned it will modify the airliner however didn’t present additional particulars in regards to the aircraft or its timeline. Troy Meink, the Air Drive secretary, mentioned on Tuesday throughout Senate testimony that “any civilian plane will take vital modifications to take action.”
“We are going to make it possible for we do what’s mandatory to make sure safety of the plane,” Meink added. “I can be fairly clear and focus on that with the [Defense] secretary as much as the President if mandatory if we really feel there’s any threats that we’re unable to deal with.”
