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Parliament Approves $60m Falcon 6X Jet and €125m Helicopter Deal For Ghana Air Force
Parliament has approved two major defence procurement agreements aimed at modernising the Ghana Air Force (GAF) and reversing years of fleet deterioration.
The approvals cover the purchase of a Falcon 6X aircraft and four new helicopters, marking one of the most significant aviation investments in recent years.
Lawmakers on Thursday endorsed a $60 million agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Dassault Aviation for the acquisition of the long-range Falcon 6X jet. They also approved a €125 million contract with Airbus Helicopters SAS for the supply of one H160 and three H175 helicopters.
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Government officials say the purchases form part of a broader retooling and modernisation programme designed to enhance the Air Force’s operational capabilities, improve rapid response, and address what Defence Ministry reports describe as a “heavily ageing and overstretched fleet”.
The approvals follow Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson’s earlier disclosure to Parliament that procurement of four modern helicopters, one long-range aircraft, and one medium-range aircraft would begin in 2026, with full delivery expected within four years.
According to the minister, the current Air Force fleet is struggling with high maintenance demands and frequent downtimes, factors that significantly limit national readiness for emergencies.
The new aircraft are expected to support a wide range of missions, including:
- Aerial surveillance and border protection
- Troop and logistics transport
- Maritime patrol and anti-piracy operations
- Air defence missions
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster response
- Medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operations
“This is necessary to restore operational efficiency,” Dr. Forson noted, emphasising that the Air Force must be capable of meeting both domestic and regional security demands.
The Minority Caucus had earlier demanded clarity on why previous requests for similar acquisitions were rejected, only for the government to now proceed with the very items it once opposed.
Former Defence Minister and Bimbilla MP Dominic Nitiwul revisited the long-standing debate during Thursday’s proceedings, stressing that Ghana urgently needs a strategic airlift capability.
“I have served in the military for eight years. It is not in our interest as a country not to have a strategic lift. We need it,” he told Parliament.
He challenged the government to openly admit why past proposals for new aircraft were dismissed.
“The government should own up. You want to buy two – own up, apologise to the people of Ghana, and convince us why you rejected the purchase for the last five years, and today you want to buy one long-range and one medium-sized,” he said.
With parliamentary approval secured, the focus now shifts to execution, financing, and the anticipated delivery timeline. The government has assured that the acquisitions will not only strengthen national defence but also enhance Ghana’s capacity to respond swiftly to security threats and emergencies.
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