A spokesperson for the US Air Force confirmed that the modified aircraft will be designated to “support executive air transport,” hinting at the possibility of converting it into a new presidential plane. However, the Air Force has kept the details of the modifications and the contractor executing them under a veil of secrecy.
The gifted aircraft has sparked sharp criticism from both the Republican and Democratic parties, warning of serious espionage risks. Republican Senator Ted Cruz described accepting the gift as “raising significant issues related to counterintelligence and surveillance.”
Previous US reports revealed that the process of refurbishing the used aircraft is a daunting task, requiring it to be completely dismantled and rebuilt with secure communication and security equipment, a process that may take several months to two years.
This controversy arises at a time that has seen a mild escalation recently, following the Israeli raid on Doha last week. In a related context, a senior US official confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Qatar during his current tour of the Middle East, a move observers see as aiming to calm the situation.
