The Ghana Air Force has taken delivery of a newly acquired Airbus H175 helicopter from France, marking 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 state-of-the-art helicopter was ferried from Marignane, France and arrived in Accra Ghana on Thursday 5 March 2026 after the successful completion of all technical acceptance procedures with the manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters. The delivery flight followed a carefully planned route through Spain and North-West Africa before continuing south along the West African Atlantic coast through several countries en route to Ghana.

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.

Upon arrival at the Air Force Base in Accra, the aircraft was given a water cannon salute.  A water cannon salute is a ceremonial tradition in aviation where airport fire trucks spray arcs of water over an aircraft, creating a tunnel or arch of water as the aircraft taxis underneath.

It is widely used in military and civil aviation for a new aircraft arriving at an airport or joining a fleet. The water salute represents a formal welcome and celebration and it signifies that the aircraft has officially joined the Air Force or airport operations. The aircraft was then consecrated by the clergy led by the Director General of Religious Affairs, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi Wood.

The aircraft was received by the Acting Minster for Defence, Hon Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Roads and Highways, Hon Kwame Governs Agbodza the Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon Ernest Brogya Gyenfi, the Deputy Head of Mission, French Embassy, His Excellency Raphael Pont, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, the Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, Chief of Staff and senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces. Their presence underscored the strategic importance of the acquisition and highlighted the strong and enduring defence cooperation between Ghana and France.

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.

In accordance with Ghana Air Force procedures, the helicopter will undergo standard post-delivery processes prior to operational deployment. These include comprehensive technical inspections, documentation verification, ground and functional checks, configuration assessments, and formal induction into the Air Force’s operational inventory. Aircrew conversion training, engineering familiarisation, and integration into existing command and maintenance structures will also be conducted to ensure the safe and effective employment of the platform.

The Ghana Air Force remains committed to continuous capability enhancement and operational excellence as it works to deliver effective air power in support of national security and developmental objectives.