USAF Diverts Missile Funds for $400M Retrofit of Trump’s Jet

The U.S. Air Force will redirect $400 million in unused funds from the Sentinel nuclear missile program to retrofit a Boeing 747 jet gifted by Qatar, which is slated for future use as part of the Air Force One fleet. The aircraft, received in May, is intended for presidential travel and reportedly earmarked for former President Donald Trump.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told a Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee that the redirected funds were surplus from the 2024 budget and would not impact the Sentinel program, a $140 billion initiative to replace the aging Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“Let me be very clear, the Sentinel program is fully funded,” Meink said, assuring lawmakers the missile modernization effort remains on track despite past delays and cost overruns.

Critics, however, have raised concerns over the cost and security implications of modifying a foreign-owned aircraft for presidential use. Some lawmakers argue that the retrofit could cost up to $1 billion, though Meink estimates the upgrade at $400 million and says it can be completed within a year.

The retrofit will involve installing advanced communications, defense, and security systems to bring the plane up to Air Force One standards. Legal questions have also been raised about the constitutional implications of accepting such a high-value gift from a foreign government.

Trump previously approved a separate contract for two new Air Force One aircraft, but those jets won’t be ready until 2027 or 2028, prompting the need for an interim solution as part of the presidential fleet modernization plan.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com