Qatar's $400 million jet offered as free Air Force One stop-gap, but security and tech overhauls would cost millions

A hot potato: Donald Trump and his administration are set to receive a luxurious $400 million new plane from Qatar that will be used as a temporary Air Force One for the president. The plane is a free gift, but the "flying palace" could end up costing taxpayers millions as it will need to be retrofitted to install the safety and security features required by a POTUS. Trump has expressed his displeasure at Boeing falling behind on a $3.8 billion project to replace the Air Force One fleet. The company initially aimed to deliver two new Air Force One planes by 2024, but Air Force acquisition official Darlene Costello told Congress last week that delivery could be around 2027, and only if Boeing and the government can come to agreements on certain requirements – the White House believes the planes might not be ready until 2029. But the Qatari Defense Ministry is gifting a Boeing 747-8 to the Pentagon to serve as a temporary Air Force one until the new planes arrive. Qatar's plane, once ... Read full article.