Accra, March 6, — The Ghana Air Force has expanded its air capabilities with the arrival of a newly procured Airbus H175 helicopter, delivered from France as part of efforts to upgrade the country’s military aviation assets.
The aircraft arrived in Accra on Thursday, March 5, 2026, after departing from Marignane, France, where it underwent final technical acceptance checks with its manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters.
Officials said the ferry flight followed a route across Spain and North-West Africa before continuing along the Atlantic coastline of West Africa through several countries prior to its arrival in Ghana.
The acquisition forms part of a larger defence procurement programme approved by Parliament aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces and replacing ageing aircraft within the Air Force’s fleet.
Under the programme, the government is expected to procure one H160 helicopter and three H175 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, in addition to a Falcon 6X long-range jet from Dassault Aviation.
Authorities say the initiative is intended to improve mission readiness, expand operational flexibility, and address the growing demands placed on the Air Force in areas such as security operations, surveillance, and emergency response.
The H175 helicopter is fitted with advanced avionics and has greater operational range and payload capacity, enabling it to undertake longer missions while carrying more equipment or personnel.
At the Air Force Base in Accra, the aircraft’s arrival was marked with a water cannon salute, a traditional aviation ceremony in which airport fire tenders spray water arches over an aircraft as it taxis, symbolising a formal welcome into service.
The reception ceremony was attended by Cassiel Ato Forson, Acting Minister of Defence; Kwame Governs Agbodza, Minister of Roads and Highways; and Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Minister of Defence.
Other dignitaries present included Raphael Pont, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy in Ghana, and William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff.
The newly delivered helicopter is expected to enhance the Ghana Air Force’s ability to respond quickly to both traditional and emerging security challenges while supporting a wider range of operations.
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