The Ministry of Defence of Ghana has finalised a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the acquisition of four advanced rotorcraft, marking a strategic pivot in the nation’s aerial capabilities. The order includes two H175M multi-mission helicopters, one ACH175, and one ACH160. This procurement signals the return of Airbus to the Ghanaian market with a clear focus on long-term partnership and customer support. While the H175M units are destined for high-intensity roles such as troop transport, search and rescue (SAR), and disaster relief, the ACH variants will provide premium corporate and governmental transport. Arnaud Montalvo, Head of Africa and Middle East Region for Airbus Helicopters, noted that the H175M will demonstrate its versatility across various defence missions while making Ghana a leading regional customer for the technologically advanced ACH160.
This acquisition arrives at a critical juncture for Ghana’s internal and regional security. President John Dramani Mahama, who assumed office in January 2025 following a successful campaign, faces the immediate challenge of containing extremist incursions from the Sahel. Militant groups moving south from Burkina Faso have begun to exploit the 600-kilometre porous northern border, often targeting marginalised communities for recruitment. President Mahama, a native of Damongo in northern Ghana, has prioritised a strategy that combines military strength with economic development in the north. The arrival of new, reliable aerial assets is a cornerstone of this plan, providing the mobility required to respond to rapid insurgent movements in difficult terrain.
The drive for modernisation gained tragic urgency following a devastating helicopter crash on August 6, 2025. A Harbin Z-9 utility helicopter, a Chinese-built naval platform, crashed into a forested mountainside in the Ashanti region while transporting officials to an event focused on illegal mining. The accident claimed eight lives, including the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Environment. This incident exposed the vulnerabilities of an ageing fleet and spurred a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s aircraft inventory. Investigative reports, aided by United States military safety experts, prompted a shift toward platforms with higher reliability and modern safety standards.
The current inventory of the Ghana Air Force (GAF) consists of approximately 39 aircraft, though operational availability remains a persistent issue. The backbone of the transport wing has traditionally been the Russian-built Mi-17 and Mi-171 series. These helicopters are valued for their 4,000-kilogram external sling capacity and the ability to carry 26 troops. However, the international sanctions resulting from the 2022 invasion of Ukraine have severely restricted the supply of spare parts for these Soviet-era engines. Maintenance for the Klimov TV3-117VM engines has become nearly impossible through official channels, leading to the grounding of several units. Even the planned delivery of four Mi-35 Hind gunships, intended for close air support, faced delays due to these same geopolitical hurdles.
The selection of the Airbus H175M addresses these logistical bottlenecks by providing a Western-supported platform. As a member of the “super-medium” class, the H175M bridges the gap between light utility helicopters and heavy-lift transports. It features an integrated fuel tank system that maximises internal cabin space without the need for auxiliary tanks, allowing for a range of 600 nautical miles. In a troop transport configuration, the aircraft carries up to 18 passengers in a 12-cubic-meter cabin, which is currently the largest in its weight category. The large sliding doors and high ground clearance facilitate rapid ingress and egress, which is essential for special forces insertions or medical evacuations under fire.
Technically, the H175M is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67E turboshaft engines, each delivering approximately 1,300 shaft horsepower. These engines utilise a dual-channel full-authority digital electronic control (FADEC) system, which automates engine monitoring and reduces pilot workload during complex manoeuvres. The flight deck is equipped with the Helionix avionics suite, featuring four multi-function displays and a 4-axis digital automatic flight control system. This system includes specialised safety features such as automatic recovery from pilot disorientation and a detection system designed to prevent the helicopter from entering a vortex ring state, a dangerous condition where a rotorcraft sinks into its own downwash.
The acquisition of the ACH160 introduces even more sophisticated technology to the Ghanaian fleet. Billed as one of the most advanced helicopters in the world, the H160 family incorporates 68 different patents. One of the most notable innovations is the Blue Edge main rotor blades. These blades feature a double-swept shape designed to reduce the noise generated by blade-tip vortices, resulting in a 3 to 4 decibel reduction in sound levels compared to previous designs. This makes the aircraft ideal for discreet operations or VIP transport in noise-sensitive areas. Additionally, the ACH160 features a canted Fenestron anti-torque tail rotor, which provides additional lift and ensures a flat attitude during all phases of flight.
The H160 is also the first helicopter to replace traditional hydraulic landing gear and brakes with electrical counterparts. This change reduces the weight of the aircraft and eliminates the risk of hydraulic fluid leaks, simplifying the maintenance profile. Its two Safran Arrano 1A turboshaft engines are designed for fuel efficiency, consuming 18% less fuel than previous generation engines in the same class. For Ghana, these efficiencies translate to lower operational costs and a smaller logistical footprint, which is vital given the Ministry of Defence’s 2025 budget allocation of roughly $519 million. This budget must cover everything from personnel salaries to capital investments, and the high cost of maintaining older, less efficient platforms has often drained resources.
The shift toward Airbus also signifies a move away from the “Russian baggage” that has hampered GAF operations. Previous attempts to refurbish the Mi-171 fleet through Eastern European firms provided only temporary relief. While a 2020 proposal for six Aero Vodochody L-39NG jet trainers from the Czech Republic stalled due to funding shortages, the commitment to Airbus suggests that Ghana is prioritising its rotary-wing capacity as the primary tool for domestic security. The H175M units will likely be deployed to the north, where their long endurance and all-weather capability allow for sustained surveillance and quick-reaction strikes against militant groups.
A substantial hurdle remains the economic environment. The Ghanaian cedi has faced fluctuations against major currencies, making the purchase of high-end Western equipment more expensive. However, the $1 billion modernisation blueprint proposed in July 2025 envisions a three-year retooling phase that relies on strategic alliances and fiscal discipline. By choosing platforms with high availability rates—Airbus claims a “day one” availability expectation exceeding 95% for the H160—Ghana aims to maximise the utility of every dollar spent. The goal is to move away from a “quantity over quality” approach and toward a smaller, more capable fleet that can actually fly the missions required by the current security climate.
The inclusion of the ACH175 and ACH160 for governmental transport also addresses a practical need for safe, reliable travel for state officials. After the 2025 crash that killed two cabinet ministers, the safety of the executive transport wing became a matter of national security. These new Airbus models exceed the latest CS29 airworthiness standards and include crashworthy structures, energy-absorbing seats, and emergency flotation devices that can be inflated manually or automatically during a water ditching. For a nation still mourning the loss of high-ranking leaders, these safety features are not luxuries but essential requirements.
As Ghana integrates these four new helicopters into its air force, the regional impact will be notable. Ghana is positioning itself as a logistical hub for West African security operations, potentially supporting United Nations or ECOWAS missions in the future. The H175M’s ability to perform in “hot and high” environments makes it a valuable asset for peacekeeping duties across the Sahel. By investing in modern, Western-supported technology, the Mahama administration is signalling a new era for the Ghana Armed Forces—one defined by operational readiness, technological superiority, and a proactive stance against regional instability.
