In a surprise diplomatic development, the Trump administration has formally accepted the donation of a Boeing 747 aircraft from the government of Qatar, intended to be retrofitted for service as the next Air Force One. Valued at approximately $200 million, the jet will undergo a series of high-level security, communication, and defense system upgrades to meet the stringent requirements of presidential transport. The Jet will replace the current Air Force One which is almost 40 years old.
The announcement came from the Department of Defense on Tuesday, confirming that Qatar’s offer was accepted as part of a broader effort to modernize the presidential fleet and strengthen U.S.-Qatar relations. The aircraft—currently a commercial Boeing 747—will be transferred to a U.S. Air Force facility for rapid retrofitting and conversion into a state-of-the-art flying command center for President Trump.
The decision to accept a foreign-donated aircraft for such a high-security role is highly unusual and has already sparked intense discussion across diplomatic and defense circles. However, Pentagon officials emphasized that all retrofitting and system integration would be completed exclusively by American contractors under direct military oversight, ensuring full national control over the aircraft’s capabilities.
The move is seen by analysts as both strategic and symbolic. Qatar has been a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, hosting major American military bases and playing a critical role in regional diplomacy. The donation signals a deepening of that alliance and may also serve to boost Qatar’s international standing by contributing directly to U.S. infrastructure and leadership logistics.
Sources close to the administration note that President Trump personally approved the decision after being briefed on the capabilities of the aircraft and the proposed retrofitting timeline. The new Air Force One is expected to be operational by early 2026.