Cost of Retrofitting Qatari Jet for Air Force One Estimated Under $400 Million
Air Force Secretary estimates retrofitting a Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One will cost less than $400 million, amid bipartisan concerns over the gift.
Overview
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink informed lawmakers that retrofitting a Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One will likely cost under $400 million, countering earlier estimates of over $1 billion. The acceptance of the jet as a gift from Qatar has raised legal and ethical concerns among lawmakers, with Rep. Jamie Raskin warning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of potential fines if the plane is not returned. The Pentagon is preparing to modify the aircraft to meet security requirements, but the process is complex and costly, drawing criticism from both parties.
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Analysis
Left
The articles discuss the potential retrofitting of a Qatari jet for Air Force One, highlighting cost concerns and complexities.
There is skepticism about the budget implications, but the Air Force Secretary expresses cautious optimism about costs.
The second article criticizes Defense Secretary Hegseth for accepting a luxury jet, raising ethical and legal accountability issues.
Center
There are not enough sources from this perspective to provide an analysis.
Right
The articles discuss the cost-effective transformation of a Qatari jet into Air Force One, estimated under $400 million.
They highlight potential savings and strategic decisions, while acknowledging bipartisan concerns about the project's complexities.
The tone is moderately positive to neutral, focusing on factual information and the benefits of the retrofit.
Left
The articles discuss the potential retrofitting of a Qatari jet for Air Force One, highlighting cost concerns and complexities.
There is skepticism about the budget implications, but the Air Force Secretary expresses cautious optimism about costs.
The second article criticizes Defense Secretary Hegseth for accepting a luxury jet, raising ethical and legal accountability issues.
Center
There are not enough sources from this perspective to provide an analysis.
Right
The articles discuss the cost-effective transformation of a Qatari jet into Air Force One, estimated under $400 million.
They highlight potential savings and strategic decisions, while acknowledging bipartisan concerns about the project's complexities.
The tone is moderately positive to neutral, focusing on factual information and the benefits of the retrofit.
Articles (5)
Salon·11d·"…Raskin said the gift's acceptance "flies in the face" of the Constitution "and more than 200 years of practice by past presidents.""
CNN·11d·"…Retrofitting and installing the required security and communications equipment on a second-hand plane from another government, even a friendly one, is a monumental task."
Newsmax·11d·"…The Pentagon in late May accepted the jetliner as a gift from the government of Qatar."
Newsmax·11d·"…It's probably less than $400 million to retrofit that aircraft."
Epoch Times·11d·"…An Air Force official said June 5 that it will likely cost under $400 million to transform a plane gifted to the United States by Qatar into the new Air Force One."