The main aircraft in Ghana's presidential fleet is the MI-17 helicopter, a multipurpose aircraft produced by Mil Helicopters, a Russian company that is frequently utilized for both military and governmental objectives. The MI-17 is renowned for its durability and versatility, making it a good fit for Ghana's varied topography and unpredictable climate. A closer look at its specifications is provided below:
Design and Dimensions: The MI-17 is approximately 18 meters (59 feet) long and 4.76 meters (15.6 feet) high. It is built to efficiently carry both people and cargo, with a maximum takeoff weight of about 13,000 kg (28,660 pounds). It is perfect for carrying Ghana's president and officials on short domestic travels because it can be adjusted for VIP settings and normally seats around 24 passengers in a troop-carrying configuration.
Safety and Avionics: The MI-17 has sophisticated avionics for communication and navigation, including systems for operations in inclement weather. Although these may differ in civilian or VIP setups, safety features include emergency power supply, redundant hydraulic systems, and flare dispensers for protection.
Advanced avionics, including systems for bad weather operations, are installed aboard the MI-17 for navigation and communication purposes. Redundant hydraulic systems, emergency power supply, and protective flare dispensers are examples of safety measures, though these may differ depending on whether the vehicle is used for VIP or civilian purposes.
Versatility and Role: The MI-17 can be modified for a number of uses, such as medical evacuation, cargo transportation, and crisis response, in addition to VIP travel. For presidential transportation and other governmental requirements, this adaptability has proven useful.
The MI-17 is widely respected in military and governmental sectors worldwide due to its ruggedness and reliability, which align well with Ghana’s demanding travel needs for state officials and crisis management.