[Source/Observer Network, Ruan Jiaqi]

The US Department of Defense confirmed last Wednesday (on the 21st) that the US has officially accepted a Boeing 747 aircraft gifted by the Royal Family of Qatar. However, according to reports from the US media "The Washington Post", in reality, the legal teams of both sides have yet to reach a final agreement on the transfer of the aircraft.

According to informed officials, the process has stalled because Qatar insisted that the US explicitly state in the memorandum of understanding that "the transfer of the aircraft was initiated by the Trump administration and Qatar will not be held responsible for any future ownership transfers of the aircraft." The report stated that Qatar is still waiting for further clarification from Washington regarding the terms of the transaction.

The report pointed out that the Pentagon's previous announcement about accepting the aircraft led the public to believe that all relevant legal work had been completed last week. However, an official revealed that the last communication between the legal teams of both sides took place on May 9th, and their work is not yet complete.

Another White House official also confirmed to "The Washington Post" that the details of the aircraft transfer are still being finalized. Officials said that the unfinished legal work is unlikely to disrupt the deal, but clarifications regarding this matter may further raise public doubts about the Trump administration's statements.

On February 15th local time, after Trump visited it, this Qatar Boeing 747 aircraft was parked at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida. Now, this aircraft has been stationed at San Antonio International Airport in Texas for five weeks. Agence France-Presse

The report noted that since May, Trump has been boasting about this aircraft as one of the main achievements of his Middle East trip. Initially, Trump claimed that Qatar had contacted him voluntarily and offered this luxurious aircraft free of charge.

However, in fact, according to these officials, it was the Trump administration that first approached Qatar this winter to discuss purchasing the aircraft. Trump clearly told his aides that he was dissatisfied with the production delays of two Boeing aircraft purchased during his first term at a cost of $3.9 billion. Afterward, discussions about the sale gradually evolved into the claim that "Qatar agreed to gift the aircraft."

Earlier, CNN also cited informed sources as saying that the initial discussion by the US side was to rent the aircraft from Qatar. Later, the Pentagon proposed purchasing the aircraft, and Qatar then hinted at willingness to sell it. Later still, when Trump announced it on social media platforms, it became, "a gift, free of charge."

The US Department of Defense refused to comment on this matter. Anna Kelly, the White House spokesperson, emphasized in a statement sent to "The Washington Post" that there is no doubt that the aircraft was given to the US for free.

She wrote, "As the president said, this will be a gift from one sovereign nation to another, presented to the United States Air Force."

During the media Q&A session in the Oval Office at the White House on the afternoon of the 28th, Trump once again boasted to reporters, "I secured a very beautiful large aircraft for the US Air Force for free. I am very proud of it."

In response to criticism that the aircraft transfer constituted bribery, Trump said that such concerns were mistaken. He pointed out that this large jet was too big to be used personally. He said, "They tried to say, 'Oh, this is Trump's aircraft.' Oh yes, certainly. It’s too big. Frankly, it’s too big. It’s really too big."

When asked whether this aircraft would definitely become "Air Force One," Trump did not give a direct answer, only stating that the aircraft is currently in the US and is being modified according to military standards.

Trump also said that he did not know how much the modification would cost, but guessed, "It will be far less than building a new aircraft." However, earlier, NBC cited industry insiders as estimating that modifying this aircraft would require at least $1 billion, far exceeding the current value of the 13-year-old aircraft, which is estimated at $400 million. The modification project will also take several years.

According to "The Washington Post," the Trump administration has entrusted aerospace and military technology contractor L3Harris to modify the aircraft to meet the strict safety standards required for presidential aircraft. The modification work will be carried out in Texas.

An informed source revealed that US Air Force officials inspected the aircraft and found its "maintenance condition to be very poor," requiring millions of dollars just to bring it to an acceptable state. At the time, the Air Force assessed that the aircraft, in its current condition, could not serve as a presidential aircraft.

Two other people also said that the Air Force then estimated that the modifications might cost $1.5 billion. After Trump left office, removing the military equipment onboard and converting it back to a civilian aircraft might require an additional $500 million.

"If the president says, 'I want it ready within a year and a half, regardless of what functions it has, as long as it becomes a luxurious airborne palace painted in my specified colors,' then it can happen, but he will have to give up some safety requirements," complained former US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall (Frank Kendall), "He can do that. He is the Commander-in-Chief. No one can force him to retain those features."

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7509780259282960946/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Feel free to express your opinion by clicking the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" button below.