The Ghana Air Force has received its first Airbus H175 helicopter from France, marking a major step in modernising its operational fleet.

The new aircraft forms part of a broader defence procurement programme approved by Parliament to strengthen the operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces.

The state-of-the-art helicopter was ferried from Marignane, France, and arrived in Accra on Thursday, March 5, 2026, after completing all technical acceptance procedures with the manufacturer, Airbus Helicopters.

The delivery flight followed a carefully planned route through Spain and North-West Africa, then continued south along the West African Atlantic coast through several countries en route to Ghana.

The aircraft is part of a wider procurement programme 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 aimed at addressing the operational limitations of the Air Force’s ageing fleet while significantly improving mission readiness and operational flexibility.

Upon arrival at the Air Force Base in Accra, the helicopter was given a water cannon salute — a ceremonial aviation tradition where airport fire trucks spray arcs of water over an aircraft, creating a tunnel as it taxis beneath.

The salute is widely used in both military and civil aviation to welcome new aircraft joining a fleet. It symbolises a formal celebration and marks the aircraft’s official entry into service.

The helicopter was later consecrated by clergy led by the Director General of Religious Affairs, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi Wood.

The aircraft was received by Acting Minister for Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; Minister for Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza; Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Gyenfi; Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy, Raphael Pont; Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong; as well as the Chiefs of the Air Staff and Naval Staff, the Chief of Staff and other senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Their presence underscored the strategic importance of the acquisition and highlighted the strong 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 several missions. These include search and rescue operations, medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, maritime surveillance, and troop and logistics transport.

Equipped with advanced avionics, an extended operational range, and increased payload capacity, the aircraft is expected to improve endurance, flexibility, and rapid-response capability in addressing both conventional and emerging security challenges.

Before being deployed for operations, the helicopter will undergo standard post-delivery procedures in line with Ghana Air Force protocols.

These processes include 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 carried out to ensure the safe and effective deployment of the aircraft.

The Ghana Air Force says it remains committed to strengthening its operational capabilities as it continues to deliver effective air power in support of national security and national development objectives.