The U.S. Air Force is facing significant scrutiny and a dramatic shift in priorities, as it’s reportedly diverting funds earmarked for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program to retrofit a Qatar Airways 747 into a new Air Force One aircraft – a move first revealed during a Senate appropriations defense subcommittee hearing. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed the financial redirection, aiming to alleviate pressures within the Sentinel program, which has already experienced substantial delays and cost overruns. The Sentinel program’s budget has ballooned to nearly $141 billion, representing an astounding 81% increase above its initial projections, as detailed by Defense One on Friday. Despite these escalating costs, Meink asserted that the Sentinel program’s timeline wouldn’t be further disrupted by this reallocation. The decision stems from a restructuring of the Sentinel program, leaving a surplus of funds that were deemed ‘early to need.’ These funds are now being utilized for the ambitious conversion of the Qatar Airways 747 into a presidential aircraft capable of meeting Air Force One standards. While the precise cost of this transformation remains undisclosed, Secretary Meink previously estimated the total expenditure to be approximately $400 million – a figure considerably lower than the $1 billion estimate put forth by other officials. However, experts believe the true cost may be substantially higher given the complexities involved in adapting a commercial aircraft for presidential use. The retrofit project is anticipated to take ‘just short of a year’ once the Air Force assumes possession of the aircraft.

Secretary Meink declined to comment on potential plans to hand over the modified jet to former President Donald Trump following his term, emphasizing the immediate necessity for the modifications due to ongoing readiness challenges facing the current Air Force One. The Trump administration has selected L3Harris LHX to undertake this conversion, although a formal contract hasn’t yet been signed, according to Meink, who stated that discussions with the contractor have occurred. Neither the White House nor the U.S. Air Force immediately responded to a request for comment from Benzinga. This decision highlights the considerable financial strain on the Air Force and the unconventional approach being adopted to address readiness concerns. The conversion of the Qatar Airways 747 into a new Air Force One represents a significant investment, potentially exceeding $1 billion, and is expected to take several years to complete.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has previously urged President Trump to reject the proposed $400 million Boeing Co. BA 747-8 jumbo jet gift from Qatar’s royal family, citing national security vulnerabilities and ethical considerations surrounding the largest foreign gift ever received by the U.S. government. Furthermore, economist Peter Schiff has cautioned that Qatar’s substantial $200 billion jet deal with Boeing Co. could contribute to increased U.S. inflation and elevated interest rates. During this period, Boeing stock surged 22.06%, while L3 Harris climbed 21.16%, as tracked by Benzinga Pro. The situation underscores the complex interplay of budgetary constraints, national security priorities, and political considerations within the U.S. government. The use of a Qatar Airways aircraft, rather than a newly manufactured one, adds another layer of complexity to the project. This entire endeavor is subject to ongoing scrutiny and debate, reflecting the significant financial and strategic implications involved.