- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Trump Calls for Cancellation of Boeing Order for New 'Air Force One' Plane

© AP Photo / Paul BeatyAir Force One, with President Barack Obama aboard, lands at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.
Air Force One, with President Barack Obama aboard, lands at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
President-elect Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the US Air Force is being charged too much money for new airplanes known by the call sign "Air Force One," which will be used by the US president.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Trump added that while he wants the airplane’s producer Boeing to make money off the deal, he thinks "Boeing is doing a little bit of a number" and does not need to make "that much money."

"The plane is totally out of control, it’s going to be over $4 billion," Trump told reporters in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City. "It’s for Air Force One program and I think it’s ridiculous."

Air Force One - Sputnik International
A New Air Force One: Military to Upgrade Aging Presidential 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's used by the US president. Those aircraft reach their 30-year life expectancy in 2017.

The new planes likely will not be ready until 2024.

Media reports also noted the unique communications, safety, self-protection features and more required so the president can operate the aircraft as a mobile White House during any situation, which makes the airplane much more expensive.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала