Ghana has moved to strengthen its national emergency response and security infrastructure with the acquisition of four advanced helicopters from Airbus Helicopters, following a contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence.

The deal covers two H175M multi-mission helicopters and two Airbus Corporate Helicopters platforms, one ACH175 and one ACH160, in a move that positions Ghana to enhance its capacity for search and rescue, emergency medical services and disaster relief operations.

Cost

The government will fully finance the purchase of the multipurpose helicopters over four years, with an initial instalment of €62.5 million. This will be followed by subsequent payments in May 2026, March 2027 and December 2028.

According to an Airbus Helicopters press release, the H175M aircraft will be deployed for transport, search and rescue, emergency medical services and disaster relief missions, providing the country with greater flexibility in responding to both civilian emergencies and security-related operations.

Announcing the agreement, the Head of Africa and Middle East Region for Airbus Helicopters, Arnaud Montalvo, described the contract as a renewed partnership between Ghana and the manufacturer.

“The commitment from Ghana marks the return of Airbus Helicopters to the country with a defined focus on customer support and partnership,” he said.

He noted that the selection of the H175M platform reflects Ghana’s operational needs across defence and humanitarian missions, while the inclusion of corporate helicopters underscores the government’s focus on reliable and modern transport for official duties.

“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,” Mr Montalvo added.

About the helicopters

The H175M is the militarised variant of the super-medium H175 helicopter, which has been in service globally since 2014. The aircraft is designed to combine long range, high payload capacity and smooth flight performance, making it suitable for a wide range of missions including disaster response, public services and military operations.

The ACH160 and ACH175 are part of Airbus’ corporate helicopter range and feature enhanced cabin designs tailored for executive and government transport, with a strong emphasis on comfort, technology and operational efficiency.

Airbus Helicopters did not disclose the cost of the contract or delivery timelines for the aircraft.

The acquisition comes amid increased investment by African governments in modernising air assets to support security, humanitarian and public service operations. Airbus Helicopters currently has more than 500 aircraft in service across Africa, operating in roles ranging from law enforcement and medical evacuation to offshore energy support.For Ghana, the addition of the new helicopters is expected to improve rapid response capabilities during emergencies and disasters, while also strengthening air mobility for defence and government operations.