The Ghana Air Force (GAF) has taken delivery of the first of three H175 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, less than two months after the contract was publicised.
The helicopter departed Airbus Helicopters’ Marignane facility in France, routing through Spain and North-West Africa before continuing south along the West African Atlantic coast through several countries en route to Ghana. On arrival in the capital Accra on 5 March, the aircraft was received by the Acting Minster for Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Gyenfi, the Deputy Head of Mission of the French Embassy Raphael Pont, and various senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“The arrival of the H175 forms part of a wider aircraft procurement initiative approved by Parliament, which includes the acquisition of one H160 and three H175 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters as well as a Falcon 6X long-range aircraft from Dassault Aviation. The programme is intended to address the operational limitations associated with the Air Force’s ageing fleet while significantly improving mission readiness and operational flexibility,” the Ghana Air Force said.
In December 2025, Ghana’s Parliament approved a $60 million agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Dassault Aviation for the acquisition of a single Falcon 6X aircraft for the Ghana Air Force. In addition, lawmakers endorsed a €125 million agreement with Airbus Helicopters for the supply of the three helicopters.
Photo: GAF
In mid-January, Airbus Helicopters said Ghana had ordered two H175Ms, one ACH175, and one ACH160 for transport, search and rescue, disaster relief, and other duties. The H175M is a military configured airframe to be used for missions such as personnel and cargo transport and civil support, while the ACH160 and ACH175 are corporate configured helicopters likely acquired for VIP duties.
The Ghana Air Force said the first helicopter delivery marks a significant step in the ongoing modernisation and retooling of its operational fleet. “The acquisition forms part of a broader defence procurement programme approved by Parliament to enhance the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces.”
“The addition of the Airbus H175 is expected to significantly enhance the Ghana Air Force’s operational capability across a wide range of missions, including search and rescue operations, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime surveillance, and troop and logistics transport. Equipped with advanced avionics, extended operational range, and increased payload capacity, the aircraft provides improved endurance, flexibility, and rapid response capability in addressing both conventional and emerging security challenges,” the GAF said.
The Ghana Air Force currently operates Mil Mi-17/171 and Harbin Z-9 helicopters. The Ghana Army and Ghana Navy do not operate aircraft of any kind while the Ghana Police Service operates AS350 and SA342 helicopters. The Air Force has five Mi-17V-5 and Mi-171Sh helicopters in service as well as three Z-9EH utility helicopters (one Z-9 was written off in August 2025, claiming the lives of eight people, including two prominent government ministers).
