Defence Ministry Awards Airbus Contract for Four Helicopters
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters for the supply of four helicopters, comprising two H175Ms, one ACH175 and one ACH160, as part of efforts to retool the Ghana Armed Forces.
Airbus Helicopters confirmed the deal in a statement issued on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The cost of the helicopters was not disclosed by either the company or the Government.
According to Airbus, the two H175Ms will be deployed as multi-mission helicopters for transport, search and rescue, emergency medical services and disaster relief operations. The ACH175 and ACH160, which fall under Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH), will primarily be operated for transport purposes.
Commenting on the agreement, Head of Africa and the Middle East Region for Airbus Helicopters, Arnaud Montalvo, said the deal “marks the return of Airbus Helicopters to the country with a defined focus on customer support and partnership.”
He added that, “We are particularly excited that the H175M will be operated in Ghana, demonstrating the aircraft’s versatility across defence and security missions. This key deal also makes Ghana a leading customer in West Africa for our premium corporate helicopters, the ACH160 and ACH175.”
The H175, which has been in service since 2014, belongs to the super-medium class of helicopters and combines long range and high payload capacity with smooth flight performance.
It is designed for a wide range of missions, including disaster relief, search and rescue, public services, offshore operations and military missions, as well as private and business aviation.
Airbus noted that the ACH160 is the latest addition to the ACH family and is considered the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter, incorporating 68 new Airbus-patented technologies.
The aircraft offers 20 per cent more cabin volume per passenger compared to previous-generation medium twin helicopters and features windows that are 35 per cent larger than those of competing models, resulting in what Airbus describes as the brightest cabin in its class.
Background
The helicopter acquisition forms part of a broader retooling programme for the Ghana Armed Forces outlined in the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented to Parliament in November 2025 by the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Under the programme, government announced plans for the immediate procurement of four modern helicopters and two aircraft to strengthen the military’s airlift, patrol and emergency response capabilities from 2026.
Parliament subsequently approved an agreement valued at €125.97 million (approximately $136.5 million) with Airbus Helicopters SAS for the four helicopters. Delivery of the aircraft is expected to be spread over a four-year period, beginning in 2026.
The new fleet is expected to support aerial surveillance, search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and troop transport, helping to address operational constraints associated with the Armed Forces’ ageing air assets.
