The Bk117 was a joint development between Kawasaki and German MBB (then Eurocopter, now Airbus). Serial production began in 1983.
Kawasaki produced the cabin for all Bk117/EC145/H145 built worldwide (Germany, Japan and USA).
As of May 2019, Kawasaki has delivered 178 Bk117/EC145 helicopters to local and regional customers.
As of May 2019, Kawasaki has delivered 178 Bk117/EC145 helicopters to local and regional customers.
bk117 News |
Salus Aviation Orders Two Kawasaki Bk117D3
06-Mar-26 - Salus Aviation of New Zealand has ordered two Kawasaki BK117D-3 helicopters, the Japan-built Airbus H145D3 and latest model in the BK117 series, with deliveries scheduled for August 2026 and January 2027. #Bk117D3
Kawasaki Airbus Five Decades of Partnership
07-Dec-24 - Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan and Airbus Helicopters are celebrating five decades of partnership, which began with the German MBB Bk117, evolved through the Eurocopter EC145, and continues with the modern H145 #Bk117
NZ Salus Aviation Orders Kawasaki H145D3 Helicopter
26-Aug-24 - Salus Aviation, one of the largest operators in the Australasia region, has ordered a new 5-bladed Kawasaki BK117D3 to be leased as a rescue helicopter in New Zealand starting in 2026 #Kawasaki
New Kawasaki Bk117D3 for Shizuoka Firefighters
22-Apr-24 - Kawasaki receives order for a H145 / BK117D3 from the Shizuoka City firefighting and disaster relief aviation unit. The new helicopter will be delivered in March 2026 #Shizuoka
Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Orders Kawasaki Bk117D3
04-Mar-24 - Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting Co Orders a Japan-made Airbus/Kawasaki H145/Bk117D-3 press helicopter for six stations in the ANN Tohoku block #newscopter| More News ... |  |
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Derivatives & Versions of bk117 |
| Model | Year | History |
|---|---|---|
| BK117A-4 | ||
| BK117B-1 | ||
| BK117B-2 | ||
| BK117C-1 | ||
| BK117A-1 1982 | 1982 | |
| BK117A-3 1985 | 1985 | |
| BK117C-2 2002 | 2002 | Eurocopter EC145T1 built in Japan |
| BK117D-2 2016 | 2016 | The H145 / EC145T2 was originally to be built also in Japan but production never started and was succeeded by the Bk117D3 |
| BK117D-3 2019 | 2019 | Airbus presented a five-bladed main rotor variant of the H145 in 2019 |
