Article Posted on : - May 09, 2012

C295 aircraft. Photo: Airbus Military

MADRID (BNS): The Ghana Air Force (GAF) has commissioned a second CASA C-295 transport aircraft at the Air Force Base in Accra, according to news reports.

The twin-turboprop transport aircraft is designed to conduct tactical airlift, search and rescue (SAR) and maritime patrol and environmental surveillance missions.

The CASA C-295 built by Air Bus Military of Spain is capable of accommodating 71 troops, 50 paratroops or five standard cargo pallets.

The first aircraft ordered by the government was commissioned into service following its delivery in 2011.

Vice-President John Mahama in his inaugural speech said, the acquisition of the aircraft was in line with the government's aim of revamping and re-equipping the Ghana Armed Forces.

"It will be deployed as a troop transport aircraft both internally and internationally," the Ghanian Times quoted him as saying.

He also said the country is expected to take delivery of some surveillance and trailer aircraft soon besides four new aircraft which had already received cabinet approval.