US Air Force Begins Modifying Donated Qatar Jet for Possible Use as Air Force One

The US Air Force has begun work on modifying a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar that could become the next Air Force One, according to an Air Force spokesperson.

The aircraft, which arrived in the US over the summer, will be used for “executive airlift support.” President Donald Trump has publicly said he intends to designate the jet as a new Air Force One.

Officials say details about the retrofitting process and the company contracted to perform the modifications are classified. Retrofitting a second-hand plane presents enormous challenges, as it requires stripping the aircraft to its frame and rebuilding it with state-of-the-art communications, surveillance, and defense systems. The project involves multiple agencies, including the Secret Service, CIA, NSA, and White House Communications Agency.

The plan has drawn bipartisan criticism. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz warned it “poses significant espionage and surveillance problems,” while Democratic Sen. Jack Reed called it an “immense counterintelligence risk.”

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers in June that the cost of retrofitting the plane will likely be under $400 million. Experts estimate the process could take several months to two years.

The move comes at a sensitive time in US-Qatari relations. An Israeli strike on Doha last week targeted senior Hamas officials, straining diplomatic ties. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Qatar as part of his Middle East trip, following talks with both Israeli leaders and the Qatari Prime Minister.

Qatar insists the security partnership with the United States remains strong. “The security and defense partnership between the State of Qatar and the United States is stronger than ever and will continue to grow,” Qatar’s International Media Office said in a statement on X.

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