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'Air Force One' Cost Concerns Show Trump's Priority of Reducing Spending - Team

© Flickr / gregdeAir Force One
Air Force One - Sputnik International
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US President-elect Donald Trump demonstrated how serious he is about reducing federal government spending when he highlighted the high cost of acquiring a new Air Force One on Tuesday, a spokesman for Trump's transition team said in a phone call with reporters.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said he wants to cancel the $4 billion order for a new Air Force One from Boeing because the airplane’s price and the associated research and development program are "ridiculous."

"I think this really speaks to the president-elect’s focus on keeping costs down across the board with regard to government spending," spokesman Jason Miller stated.

Air Force One, with President Barack Obama aboard, lands at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. - Sputnik International
Trump Calls for Cancellation of Boeing Order for New 'Air Force One' Plane
According to media reports, the Air Force has budgeted $1.65 billion for the new Air Force One plane between 2015 and 2019. Two planes will be needed to replace the two current Boeing 747-200 aircraft used by the US president. Those aircraft will reach their 30-year life expectancy in 2017.

Media reports have noted, however, the unique communications, safety and other required features so that the aircraft can operate as a mobile White House during any situation, which makes the airplane much more expensive to produce.

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