TSAMTO, December 16. The Czech company Lom Praha has completed the overhaul of the Ghana Air Force Mi-171SH helicopter, which was recently identified during tests of the power plant.
As reported by Defenceweb.co.za In October 2020, Lom Praha announced that it had reached an agreement with Ghana to overhaul one Mi-171Sh helicopter. Ghana requested an expedited procedure, due to the fact that the car was required to support actions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the delivery of medicines and doctors to various parts of the country.
The helicopter (GHF697) was first seen during tests at the company's facility at Prague-Kbely Airport, and in early November Lom Praha announced that work on the machine had been completed. It was assumed that the Mi-171Sh would be disassembled and returned to Ghana aboard the Il-76 aircraft.
According to the Ambassador of Ghana to the Czech Republic, James Komla Nyasembi, at the final stage, technical acceptance of the helicopter on the ground, engine testing and several test flights were carried out. During the work, the color of the helicopter was changed from white to gray, additional external fuel tanks were installed. The test results were found satisfactory. Taking into account the positive work experience, it is possible that Ghana's cooperation with Lom Praha will continue.
The refurbished helicopter is one of four Mi-171Sh purchased by the Ghanaian Armed Forces in 2013. It is not yet known whether the three remaining cars will be repaired.
This is not the first contract signed by Lom Praha to carry out work in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ghana. In 2019, the company carried out a major overhaul of the Mi-8MTV-5 (GHF690) helicopter.
Last year, the company repaired two Mi-17s for the Burkina Faso Air Force, as well as several Mi-17 and Mi-24/35 for the Czech Air Force. Lom Praha is also engaged in the repair of the Z-142 Zlin training aircraft of the Algerian Air Force. The company recently completed training of Nigerian Air Force personnel in the use of Mi-17 helicopters.
