Boeing 747-8 Worth 550 Billion Won
Gifted by Qatari Royal Family for President Trump's Exclusive Use
Pentagon Receives Aircraft Amid Controversy Over Appropriateness
The U.S. Department of Defense has taken possession of an aircraft that Qatar offered to provide for the exclusive use of President Donald Trump, despite controversy over whether the gift was inappropriate.
According to Bloomberg News and other sources on the 21st (local time), Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated in a press release that "the Secretary of Defense has received a Boeing 747 aircraft from Qatar in accordance with all federal rules and regulations." Parnell added, "The Department of Defense will strive to ensure that appropriate security measures and mission-required capabilities are considered for the aircraft used to transport the President of the United States."
The U.S. Air Force plans to carry out modifications to the aircraft so it can be used as the presidential plane. Previously, during a recent tour of the Middle East, President Trump received a Boeing 747-8 aircraft, estimated to be worth about $400 million (approximately 550 billion won), as a gift from the Qatari royal family and decided to use it as his official plane.
During his first term, President Trump ordered a new presidential aircraft from Boeing, but has yet to take delivery, which led to frustration over having to continue using the old presidential plane. While President Trump mentioned that he received the aircraft from Qatar without any compensation, some critics argued that it was inappropriate for a foreign government to give such an expensive gift. Additionally, concerns were raised that using the gifted aircraft as is could pose serious security issues, and that upgrading it to meet the standards required for a presidential plane would require significantly more time and money.
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