Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Qatari counterpart have signed an agreement outlining the terms of Qatar’s “unconditional donation” of a Boeing jet to the Pentagon, confirming that the US will pay nothing for the plane, according to a copy of the memorandum of understanding reviewed by CNN.
The agreement, signed by Hegseth and Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for defense affairs, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, on July 7, says the plane — which is expected to be used by President Donald Trump as Air Force One once it is upgraded — is a “bona fide gift” to the Defense Department.
“This donation is made in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation and mutual support between the parties,” the document says. “Nothing in this MoU is, or shall be interpreted or construed as, an offer, promise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice.”
Mr. Trump, in May, called it a “gift.”
“They knew about it because they buy Boeings, they buy a lot of Boeings, and they knew about it, and they said, we would like to do something,” Mr. Trump said. “And if we can get a 747 as a contribution to our Defense Department to use during a couple of years while they’re building the other ones, I think that was a very nice gesture. Now I could be a stupid person and say, ‘Oh no, we don’t want a free plane.'”
The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the U.S. government and Qatar are expected to finalize the agreement this week.
A source told CBS News in May that the plane needs to be checked for security and spying devices before it is accepted. Renovations that could cost hundreds of millions will need to be done before the plane is ready to be used as Air Force One, the Air Force secretary said last month.
A government report says Boeing is years behind schedule and billions over-budget on its contract for two jumbo jets to replace Air Force One.
The 747’s are being modified at Port San Antonio for presidential use. The News 4 I-Team has the report’s findings and Boeing’s response.
President Trump has voiced his frustration with the delays. At his urging the Defense Department is preparing to modify another 747 that was a gift from the Qatari royal family for use as an interim Air Force One.
That jet was seen at San Antonio International Airport earlier this year and could cost as much as a billion dollars to upgrade.
When Boeing was first awarded the contract for two presidential planes they were supposed to be completed by 2024. The assessment by the Government Accountability Office says they won’t be ready until 2029.
The original cost was $3.9 billion; the current estimate is $5.6 billion.
It hasn’t been painted yet with the new red, white and blue color scheme President Trump says will replace the lighter blue we’ve grown accustomed to on Air Force One.
The Air Force wants the commercial jets to have the same level of security and communications available in the White House, which requires electrical power upgrades, military avionics and executive interior.
The GAO assessment released in June says Boeing discovered stress-corrosion cracks and repairs are ongoing. It mentions wiring delays and says some wiring has yet to be installed, design issues that have contributed to excess noise in the aircraft cabin, and that Boeing has struggled to hire and retain qualified mechanics due to ongoing market conditions.
The assessment says there’ve been difficulties getting necessary security clearances for mechanics.
A Boeing spokesperson said in an email “The GAO assessment is a dated report based on a snapshot in time that is not reflective of where the program is currently or an indicator of the progress being made. We are not having issues hiring and retaining qualified employees on this program.”
The spokesperson said for the current schedule we should contact the Air Force which has not yet responded.
Boeing also sent this statement to News 4: “We have a talented and committed workforce on this program. We take our role very seriously and know it’s an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility. Our focus is on delivering two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country.”
In May an Air Force official told a congressional hearing the new planes could be ready by 2027 if some of the requirements were reduced.