Ghana set to receive newly procured Airbus helicopters
2nd March 2026
Ghana is set to receive the first of four newly procured Airbus helicopters for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) next week, an acquisition that forms a central pillar of President John Dramani Mahama’s defence modernization agenda.
The Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi confirmed the impending delivery on Tuesday, revealing that the government is moving swiftly to bolster the Air Force’s operational capabilities after a series of setbacks in recent years.
The helicopter procurement forms part of a broader retooling strategy outlined in the 2026 Budget Statement, which was presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in November 2025.
The programme includes four helicopters and a naval vessel, intended to enhance national security, search and rescue (SAR), disaster response, and medical evacuation operations.
The order comprises two H175M multi-mission helicopters for transport and disaster relief, one ACH175 for transport duties, and one ACH160, a technologically advanced air mobility and surveillance aircraft.
The total cost of the acquisition is €125.97 million, with the Ministry of Defence engaging Airbus directly to ensure transparency and eliminate third-party intermediaries.
President Mahama administration has framed the investment as critical for safeguarding the territorial integrity, especially following the August 2025 crash of a previous military helicopter, which highlighted gaps in the GAF’s fleet readiness.
The programme, however, has not been without controversy. During the 2026 Budget debates in Parliament in November 2025, Minority lawmakers, led by Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, raised concerns about the scale and timing of the expenditure.
Abu Jinapor alleged that government funds were being diverted to high-profile acquisitions, including two presidential jets, rather than addressing pressing economic and social priorities such as healthcare, education, and job creation.
His claims of US$1.2 billion allocated for the jets sparked a heated exchange with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who challenged the accuracy of the figures and maintained that no such allocations existed in the budget document.
The helicopter acquisition also coincides with unusual leadership circumstances in the Ministry of Defence. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has been serving as acting Defence Minister following the death of Dr Omane Boamah, who was the substantive minister in 2025.
Brogya Genfi emphasized that the Airbus helicopters are being delivered as “from scratch” builds, reflecting the administration’s commitment to acquiring modern and reliable assets rather than refurbishing older models.
Once the helicopters arrive, they are expected to expand the Air Force’s capacity for rapid response to emergencies, disaster relief, aerial surveillance, and transport across remote regions.
The NDC government has insisted that the acquisitions are part of a multi-year strategy to align the GAF with contemporary defence standards, strengthen national security, and support regional peacekeeping efforts.