Leftover missile money? US Air Force spends ICBM funds to revamp Qatar's gift jet to Trump

Time of India

2 days ago

Why is the U.S. Air Force using missile funds for Trump's Qatar plane?
How much will Trump's temporary Air Force One cost?
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When will Trump's gift jet be ready for use?
Why is this plane gift from Qatar so controversial?
Foreign gift laws: Accepting a multimillion-dollar gift from a foreign government may violate the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
Accepting a multimillion-dollar gift from a foreign government may violate the of the U.S. Constitution. Congressional oversight: Several lawmakers argue that the administration sidestepped Congressional approval and transparency requirements.
What are the national security concerns?
Advanced military communication systems
Missile defense countermeasures
Shielded avionics and cybersecurity
Frequent security sweeps to ensure no espionage vulnerabilities exist
How does this impact the Sentinel missile program?
Is the Qatar-donated jet really ready to serve as Air Force One?
How much would it really cost to convert the Qatari jet into Air Force One?
Can the Qatari 747 be made secure enough for the president?
What features would this plane lack compared to the VC-25B?
Will this quick fix delay the actual Air Force One even more?
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U.S. Air Force is redirecting leftover funds from its nuclear missile program to retrofit a luxury jet—originally gifted by Qatar—for President Donald Trump. The move is stirring up a whirlwind of political, ethical, and budgetary controversy.The Air Force confirmed it's repurposing surplus funds from the Sentinel ICBM modernization program—formerly the LGM‑35A—to begin modifying a Boeing 747‑8 jet gifted by Qatar to President Trump. The funds, labeled as "excess to need," were left over from fiscal year 2024, according to Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.He emphasized that the reallocation doesjeopardize the Sentinel program, which remains "fully funded" and on track to replace the aging Minuteman III missile system.Retrofitting the Qatar-gifted 747 is expected to cost approximately, according to official Air Force estimates. However, critics—including members of Congress—warn that the actual cost could balloon to nearlyonce communication systems, defense tech, and presidential security upgrades are factored in.For context, this temporary aircraft will serve as an interimuntil the much-delayedis ready—now expected in 2027 or later.The overhaul is projected to take just under a year, positioning the aircraft for use starting in. If the timeline holds, President Trump could use it for roughlybefore the new VC-25Bs enter service. After that, the plane is expected to be transferred to the, adding another layer to the ongoing debate over its necessity.The aircraft was originally gifted by the Qatari royal family in what critics call an unprecedented gesture toward a sitting U.S. president. Lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have raised seriousSen. Chris Murphy labeled the decision "one of the bigger wastes of taxpayer money in recent memory," pointing to the aircraft's limited projected use.Experts say retrofitting the Qatar jet to matchis no small feat. It involves:Critics argue the process is risky and expensive—especially when the VC-25Bs are already in the pipeline.Despite the optics, the Air Force insists the Sentinel ICBM program won't suffer. The funds being redirected were part of an overestimated allocation in FY2024 and won't delay missile upgrades or modernization efforts.Still, critics question whether those funds should have been returned to the federal budget or used for more pressing defense priorities.The Boeing 747-8 offered by Qatar is luxurious, no doubt. But experts say luxury isn't what defines Air Force One. Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory and a renowned defense aviation expert, warns this move misunderstands the aircraft's purpose.'If it's just about having a flying palace, this might work,' Aboulafia said. 'But Air Force One is a flying command center, built for worst-case scenarios, including nuclear war. This plane is not designed for that.'The existing VC-25B aircraft, originally planned for delivery in 2024, are still years from being completed. Now, officials are looking into the possibility of modifying the Qatari 747 in a much shorter timeframe—but experts warn it's not that simple.Though the aircraft itself may be a donation, converting it into a full Air Force One could end up costing taxpayers 'billions and billions,' according to Aboulafia.Upgrading a jet to meet presidential standards means far more than adding a few secure phones. The aircraft must support encrypted global communications, aerial refueling, defense systems, hardened electrical systems, a medical bay, and total information security—capabilities that are built into the VC-25B aircraft, but completely missing from the donated plane.L3Harris, the defense firm selected to begin converting the jet in Texas, is reportedly working to finish the conversion by the end of this year. But the timeline has raised eyebrows across the defense community.Security experts are extremely wary about the origins of the aircraft. Coming from Qatar's royal family, the plane would need to be completely stripped down and thoroughly inspected for any hidden surveillance devices or vulnerabilities.Aboulafia stressed, 'It would present a major security concern.' The aircraft would likely undergo deep forensic examination, disassembly, and re-engineering to meet U.S. presidential standards—processes that could take years.Air Force One is often referred to as the most secure flying communications and command platform in the world. Any vulnerabilities could have grave consequences in times of crisis.The Qatari jet, though a Boeing 747-8 like the VC-25B, lacks critical features. For instance, while aerial refueling was scrapped from the VC-25B for cost reasons, it would likely also be missing from the Qatar plane—limiting the president's ability to stay airborne in emergencies.Doug Birkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, explained how advanced Air Force One's communication capabilities are. 'It functions as a command and control center under some of the most trying conditions imaginable,' he said. 'Even day-to-day, that thing is hyper-connected.'This level of infrastructure is the result of years of engineering and classified work, which cannot be rushed or duplicated easily.The original VC-25B aircraft were supposed to be delivered in 2024. Due to the pandemic, supply chain issues, and internal setbacks at Boeing, that date has already been pushed to 2029. However, recent reports say the Pentagon may revise requirements to potentially speed up delivery to 2027.President Trump, frustrated by the repeated delays, has previously criticized Boeing for its slow pace and cost overruns. That's partly why the idea of an interim aircraft became appealing. But aviation analysts warn that this "shortcut" may only create further delays and deeper complications.Starting over with a second 747-8 might require the same, if not more, time and investment as finishing the VC-25B aircraft already under construction.While the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8 may seem like a cost-saving gift on the surface, experts say the risks of converting it into a new Air Force One far outweigh the perceived benefits. From massive upgrade costs to deep security concerns and strategic capability gaps, the jet may turn out to be more of a burden than a blessing.Air Force officials have not confirmed how the plane will be handled, and both Boeing and L3Harris have declined to comment. For now, all eyes are on the Trump administration's next move—and whether America's next Air Force One will truly be fit for the job.It may cost billions and pose major security risks.Experts say it could take several years, possibly into the 2030s.