Mi-171s for Ghana Air Force
Ghana’s Air Force has taken delivery of four new Mi-171Sh helicopters, along with a fully-equipped logistics warehouse that will provide maintenance for the aircraft.
Ghana’s Air Force has taken delivery of four new Mi-171Sh helicopters, along with a fully-equipped logistics warehouse that will provide maintenance for the aircraft. The four helicopters are part of a contract signed in September last year by Russian state arms company Rosoboronexport for the provision of six Mi-17s to Ghana, and were officially commissioned by President John Mahama on 5th January at a ceremony in Accra. The Air Force will use the helicopters to deal with piracy, drug smuggling, oil bunkering, and to provide search and rescue (SAR), VIP transport and training support.
Currently, along with the four Mi-171s, the Air Force operates one AB-212, two A109A and two SA319 Alouette III helicopters, as well as nine transport aircraft, including three Cessna 172s and one Fokker F-28 Fellowship. According to President Mahama, the new helicopters are part of efforts to better equip the country’s national defence force and broaden its operational capabilities.