Ghana takes delivery of one of two Airbus Military C295 aircraft

Airbus Military today November 18, 2011 says the Ghana Air Force has taken delivery of the first of two C295 aircraft that it ordered from the company.

The Spanish-based Airbus Military, a subsidiary of Airbus, in a statement said the second aircraft will be delivered in the first quarter of 2012.

According to the company, this C295 is the first Airbus Military product that the Ghana Air Force will operate.

A picture of the aircraft shows the flag of Ghana and the symbol of the Ghana Air Force embossed on the tail of the aircraft.

“We are very proud to add the Ghana Air Force to our family of C295 operators. The C295, which has proven the best solution for medium sized transport, will allow missions in remote and difficult to access areas. We look forward to the entry into service of this versatile aircraft in the Ghana Air Force”, the statement quoted Rafael Tentor, Airbus Military Head of Programmes as saying.

Ghana signed a contract with Airbus Military for the acquisition of two C295 aircraft early August 2011, a contract Minister of Defence Lt. Gen. J. H. Smith confirmed to ghanabusinessnews.com August 4, 2011 one week after Parliament approved an amount of $105.4 million for the purchase of five aircraft.

Even though the two C295 aircraft were to be delivered from the beginning of 2012, according to information available to ghanabusinessnews.com, the first has been delivered ahead of schedule.

Airbus Military says the aircraft is qualified for the transport of troops, paratroops, medical evacuation, and both palletized and bulk loads, for which it is equipped with a palletized loading system.

It will be primarily used for domestic transport and will also play an important role in humanitarian relief missions. Its short take-off and landing (STOL) and rough-field capabilities will provide the Ghana Air Force with access to remote locations that were not accessible previously, the company added.

By Ekow Quandzie