The Ghana Air Force has taken delivery of its first Airbus H175 helicopter from France, a step in a wider fleet modernisation programme approved by Parliament to strengthen the capabilities of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The newly acquired aircraft arrived in Accra on Thursday, March 5, after being ferried from Marignane in France following the successful completion of all technical acceptance procedures with the manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters. The delivery flight followed a carefully mapped route across Europe and North-West Africa before proceeding along the Atlantic coastline of West Africa to Ghana.
The helicopter forms part of a broader defence procurement initiative endorsed by Parliament aimed at replacing ageing aircraft and improving the operational readiness of the Air Force. The programme includes the acquisition of one Airbus H160 helicopter and three H175 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, in addition to a Dassault Falcon 6X long-range aircraft to be supplied by Dassault Aviation.
Officials say the acquisition is designed to strengthen the Air Force’s ability to respond to evolving security demands while enhancing its flexibility across multiple mission areas.
Upon landing at the Air Force Base in Accra, the aircraft was formally welcomed with a water cannon salute — a long-standing aviation tradition in which airport fire trucks spray arcs of water over an aircraft as it taxis beneath them to symbolise its official induction into service.
Following the ceremonial reception, the helicopter was consecrated by clergy led by the Director General of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi Wood.
The arrival ceremony was attended by several senior government and military officials, including Acting Minister for Defence Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Roads and Highways Kwame Governs Agbodza, Deputy Minister for Defence Ernest Brogya Genfi, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy Raphael Pont, Chief of the Defence Staff William Agyapong and other senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Their presence underscored what officials described as the strategic importance of the aircraft acquisition and the continuing defence cooperation between Ghana and France.
Military authorities say the H175 helicopter will significantly expand the operational scope of the Air Force, enabling it to carry out missions such as search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime surveillance, and the transportation of troops and logistics.
Equipped with advanced avionics, extended range and greater payload capacity, the aircraft is expected to improve endurance and rapid response capabilities in addressing both conventional and emerging security challenges.
Before being deployed for operational missions, the helicopter will undergo a series of post-delivery procedures, including technical inspections, documentation verification, ground tests and system checks. Aircrew conversion training, engineering familiarisation and integration into existing command and maintenance structures will also be conducted.
The Ghana Air Force says the acquisition reflects its continuing commitment to strengthening operational capability and delivering effective air power in support of national security and national development objectives.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
