Trump complained about the high price, Boeing reduced the price of building new planes
After being criticized by Donald Trump for being expensive, Boeing has lowered the price of building two new planes for the US president.
At the end of the contract negotiations with Mr. Donald Trump, Boeing agreed to a price of 3.9 billion USD to continue developing, repairing and building two new Air Force One planes for the US president to use.
The two new Boeing 747-8s are scheduled to be delivered in December 2024, which would be Trump’s final year in office if he wins a second term as president, a congressional committee announced on July 17.
Trump had reached an informal agreement for the contract in late February that a White House spokesman said would save up to $1.4 billion, but public estimates put the savings at just a few hundred million dollars.
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Air Force One carrying Mr. Donald Trump to Da Nang to attend APEC 2017.Photo: Duc Dong |
Mr. Trump once caused a stir in the defense industry when he criticized the contract for the new Air Force One a month before his inauguration. On December 6, 2016, he tweeted that "Boeing is building a 747 Air Force One for future presidents but at an uncontrollable price of over $4 billion. Canceling order."
This surprising announcement led to a series of talks withBoeing CEO - Dennis Muilenburg.After a visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in January, Muilenburg said, "We'll get it done for less than that, and we're committed to working together to make sure that happens."
The contract announcement came the same day Mr Trump said in an interview with CBS that the new plane would be painted red, white and blue, which the US president said was the appropriate colour scheme instead of yellow.white, blue and light blue like the onesAir Force One before that.
According to the US Air Force, the bulk of the expensive cost is to turn a regular 747 into a presidential plane with complex modifications, making it a true flying fortress, a symbol of the US President's power in the world.
The plane will have two electrical systems, not just one like a commercial plane. It will also have a sophisticated communications system and good defense capabilities, while still ensuring comfortable working, relaxing and resting space for the first family.
In 2015, the US Air Force granted Boeing exclusive designation as the sole manufacturer to build the aircraft.Air Force One. Subcontractors are allowed to bid on specialized equipment. It is also the only aircraft built entirely in the United States, ensuring the capacity needed to transport the president of the country.
