• Retrofitting a Qatari jet for Air Force One may cost less than $400 million.
• Previous estimates suggested costs could reach up to $1 billion.
• The aircraft will need extensive security and communication upgrades.
• Democratic lawmakers express concerns over ethical implications and budget impact.
• The Qatari jet was gifted to the U.S. by the Qatari royal family.

U.S. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink has indicated that retrofitting a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet gifted by Qatar to serve as Air Force One is expected to cost under $400 million, significantly less than initial estimates of up to $1 billion. This announcement came during a House Armed Services Committee hearing where Meink addressed the anticipated modifications necessary to meet security and operational requirements for presidential travel, stating, "It's probably less than $400 million to retrofit that aircraft," while adding many costs would be incurred regardless, including new technologies and training protocols, according to Reuters and AA and Business Insider.

The majority of costs relate to the necessary installations of encrypted communication systems and reinforced defensive capabilities for the aircraft, which previously served a different purpose. Representative Joe Courtney has raised concerns about the financial burden this project could impose on the Air Force, suggesting that such retrofitting would be a “drain on the Air Force’s budget,” and questioning the decision to utilize a foreign gift for presidential travel, according to AA and Business Insider.

Experts have stressed that substantial modifications will be necessary to transition the aircraft into a secure environment suitable for presidential operations. Various lawmakers have expressed skepticism over the implications of this foreign gift, particularly in light of concerns about ethical practices surrounding military operations and foreign influences on national security protocols, according to Reuters and Business Insider.