Suspicion Over Modification Costs Being Included in Defense Budget
"Modification Costs Estimated at At Least 1.4 Trillion Won or More"
Controversy is growing in the US political sphere over the cost of modifying a private jet that President Donald Trump received from the Emir of Qatar in May. Criticism has intensified as suspicions spread that the Trump administration included the modification costs in certain items of the defense budget. The controversy is expected to continue, as the modification costs are anticipated to exceed twice the price of the aircraft itself.
Suspicion Over Modification Costs of Jet Received from Qatar Being Included in Defense Budget
Last May, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, warmly welcomed President Donald Trump, who was on a state visit to Qatar. Photo by AP Yonhap News
According to the New York Times (NYT), budget experts in the US Congress have recently raised suspicions that the cost of modifying the Boeing 747-8 aircraft President Trump received as a gift from the Emir of Qatar in May may have been included in the Department of Defense budget. NYT reported, "Recently, the Department of Defense diverted $934 million (approximately 1.29 trillion won) from the nuclear modernization program under the category of 'classified project allocation,' and there is a possibility that this was used to cover the modification costs of the private jet."
Previously, on the 7th (local time), US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Qatari Minister of Defense Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) stating that the Qatari government would donate one Boeing 747-8 aircraft, owned by Qatar, to the US Department of Defense free of charge. The aircraft has already been sent to San Antonio Airport in Texas, USA, and is awaiting conversion into a presidential jet.
The aircraft in question was announced as a gift to President Trump by the Emir of Qatar during Trump’s state visit to Qatar in May. The estimated price per aircraft is around $400 million (about 556.2 billion won). Since news of the Emir’s gift was reported, there has been a wave of criticism and bribery allegations against President Trump both inside and outside the US.
The US Democratic Party has raised conflict of interest issues, including violation of Article I, Section 9 of the US Constitution, which prohibits public officials from receiving financial benefits from foreign governments without congressional consent. However, President Trump maintains that the gift was received from the Qatari royal family without compensation and insists there is no problem.
Modification Costs Exceed Aircraft Price..."At Least 1.4 Trillion Won or More"
The controversy has intensified as the modification costs for the aircraft are also expected to surpass the price of the plane itself. Converting a civilian aircraft into a US presidential jet requires the installation of various classified defense and communication systems, and these costs are expected to far exceed the price of the aircraft.
NYT, citing US Air Force officials and experts, stated, "The US Air Force claims the modification costs will be less than $400 million, but this seems impossible," adding, "It has been estimated that the modification will require about $1 billion (approximately 1.3784 trillion won), and the actual costs are a matter of political concern."
Previously, the price for two US presidential jets ordered by President Trump from Boeing reached $4 billion (about 5.5144 trillion won). US presidential jets are made by modifying civilian aircraft, with most of the costs incurred during the conversion process. Military engines are installed to significantly increase flight speed, and the refueling system is completely replaced to enable aerial refueling. Fuel storage is also expanded to allow for at least seven days of continuous flight after a single refueling. In addition, the aircraft must be able to defend against nuclear explosions and electromagnetic shocks, and is equipped with defense systems that emit infrared signals from the fuselage to disrupt enemy guided missiles.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Democrat, stated, "It is concerning that the Trump administration is diverting funds from the nuclear modernization budget to cover President Trump's extravagant aircraft modification costs," adding, "In this way, we are undermining our credibility while funding President Trump's vanity project."
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