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Air Force Redirects $400 Million in Missile Funds to Retrofit Qatari Gift for Interim Air Force One

Secretary Troy Meink will tap excess 2024 Sentinel missile program funds to pay for a yearlong overhaul of the gifted Boeing 747-8

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Overview

  • The Air Force will reallocate about $400 million from the LGM-35 Sentinel ICBM program to fund the retrofit of the Qatar-donated 747-8
  • Pentagon took delivery of the donated Boeing 747-8 P4-HBJ on May 21 to use as a stopgap until Boeing’s delayed VC-25 replacements arrive
  • L3Harris is set to receive a one-year contract to strip the jet for security sweeps, install top-secret communications and fit defensive countermeasures prior to presidential use
  • Critics warn that extensive modifications could push the overhaul cost toward $1 billion, extend the timeline beyond a year and trigger Emoluments Clause scrutiny
  • Boeing’s VC-25 special military models remain delayed to at least 2027 after supply chain setbacks and work delays