Two "Boeing-747", which the Russian airline-bankrupt "Transaero" never bought from the manufacturer, will be purchased for the president of the United States. This is reported by a specialized publication Military. Com with reference to sources in the Air Force.
In this way, the low-key Trump decided to save on board number 1 - the modernization of the finished serial aircraft would cost millions of dollars less than the production for the US president of a new airliner on special order.
Back in December last year, when the White House was faced with the fact of the need to purchase new aircraft, since the old ones almost exhausted their resources, Trumpu announced their cost. And he got mad at her.
"More than four billion for an airplane!" Of course, we want Boeing to work, but not so much! "- the president was indignant at the time in an interview with CNN.
Trump immediately canceled the order. And, it seems, has now found a way out - to buy two planes that have not become Russian. A couple of "Boeing" Transaero ordered in 2013, and they were made. But two years later the Russian airline ceased to exist, and all this time the new liners were stored in a hangar in Southern California. According to the manufacturer, in a dry climate, airplanes did not rust in a single bit and do not differ from those just "descended from the assembly line".
According to specialists, the modernization of two ordinary "seven hundred forty-sevenths" to the presidential class will require more than three billion dollars. Plus for 390 million dollars for each aircraft will ask "Boeing". Trump can save a couple hundred million dollars. But do not forget about unforeseen expenses. After all, the presidential board is not just a luxury plane, but a real command post where the president can fully manage the country anywhere in the world.
Today's board №1, made on the basis of "Boeing-747", is equipped with protected and unprotected telephone and computer communication systems. It has an office, a conference room, a kitchen, a security room, a dining room, a medical room and a presidential "suite".
The liner is protected by special armor from nuclear irradiation, heat traps and means of blinding infrared guidance systems. All these planes will have to be equipped from scratch. Will it be cheaper? Not much, yes. But how could Trump again not have to justify himself to American journalists who are sure to see the Kremlin's hand in this deal. For example, they will write that Moscow is giving Trump an airplane in which he will secretly go out with the Russians on communications, flying over the Pacific Ocean.