Parliament’s Committee on Defence and Interior has recommended two major agreements totalling approximately €178m for the immediate retooling and modernisation of the Ghana Air Force fleet.
The procurement package, aimed at addressing the deteriorating condition of the country’s aerial defence and transport capacity, includes the acquisition of one Falcon 6X jet and four Airbus helicopters.
The move, however, was preceded by sharp criticism from the Minority Caucus, who demanded the government explain its sudden change of mind after years of rejecting similar proposals for new presidential and military aircraft.
The Multi-Million Dollar Acquisition Details
The dual procurement packages, recommended by lawmakers, represent a significant investment in national defence and logistics:
- Fixed-Wing Strategic Lift: Parliament endorsed a $60.7 million agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Dassault Aviation for the purchase of one Falcon 6X aircraft for the Ghana Air Force. This long-range jet will be used for strategic troop and logistics transport and VVIP movement.
- Rotor-Wing Fleet Upgrade: Lawmakers also recommended a €126 million agreement with Airbus Helicopters SAS for the supply of one H160 helicopter and three H175 helicopters. These four modern aircraft are essential for search, rescue, surveillance, and disaster response operations.
The government asserts that the acquisitions are necessary due to an ageing fleet and high maintenance demands, which currently limit the Air Force’s operational readiness.
The aircraft are expected to be delivered within four years, starting in 2026, as announced by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on November 13.
Minority Demands Apology for Past Inaction
The procurement sparked a heated debate, as the Minority Caucus questioned the government’s sudden decision to approve the purchases after years of resisting similar requests under previous administrations.
Former Defence Minister and Bimbilla MP Dominic Nitiwul stressed the undisputed and urgent national need for the aircraft, referring to the requirement as a “strategic lift” necessary to strengthen national defense and security.
“I keep saying that if there is anybody in this room who knows the needs of the military, I have served them for eight years. I hold the same position I held last year and for the past eight years: it is not in our interest as a country not to have a strategic lift. We need it,” Nitiwul said.
However, he strongly challenged the government to account for its prior inaction and policy reversal:
“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 two: one long-range and one medium-size.”
Enhancing Operational Capacity
The new aircraft are slated to significantly boost the Air Force’s capabilities across a diverse range of critical missions:
- Aerial Surveillance and Maritime Patrols.
- Troop and Logistics Transport.
- Air Defence.
- Disaster Response and Medical Evacuations (MEDEVAC).
The Parliamentary endorsement confirms the government’s commitment to the broader retooling and modernisation programme, despite the political controversy surrounding the timing and consistency of the decision.