WASHINGTON, May 23 – The Pentagon has accepted a Boeing 747 aircraft from Qatar intended for use by former U.S. President Donald Trump, officials said on Wednesday, with plans to modify the plane to meet presidential security and mission requirements.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth formally accepted the aircraft, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who confirmed the transfer complied with all federal rules and regulations. However, discussions between legal teams remain ongoing, and the deal has not yet been finalized, a source familiar with the matter said.
President Trump described the plane as a “gift, free of charge” from Qatar. Qatar’s Prime Minister also confirmed the transfer was a transparent and lawful transaction between the Qatari Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense.
The U.S. Air Force has been directed to begin planning modifications to retrofit the plane with necessary security features and communications systems. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and Chief of Staff David Allvin told lawmakers the Pentagon is preparing to award a classified contract for the work.
The effort is expected to be complex and costly, with experts noting that upgrading a second-hand plane from another government to presidential standards could take up to two years. The process involves stripping the aircraft to its frame and rebuilding it to install secure communications and protective systems.
The initiative follows delays in Boeing’s delivery of new presidential jets, which are not expected to be ready for another two years. The Trump administration sought alternatives for a faster replacement of Air Force One and reached out to Qatar, which operates a Boeing 747 potentially suitable for the role.
The deal has sparked political controversy, drawing criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over ethics concerns related to the acceptance of the foreign aircraft.
Pentagon officials have declined to comment on payment details for the plane, referring further questions to the U.S. Air Force. The Embassy of Qatar in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
