Kawasaki, March 06, 2026 - Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd announced that it has signed a contract with Salus Aviation (AW) Ltd based in New Zealand, for the supply of two H145/BK117D-3 helicopters, the latest model in the BK117 helicopter series.
The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in August 2026 and January 2027 respectively.
This order represents the first BK117 D-3 delivery to the Oceania region and brings Kawasaki’s cumulative order total for the model to 43 units (the second and third units for the international market).
Prior to this order, Kawasaki and Salus signed a Framework Agreement (FA) for sales and maintenance cooperation of the BK117 series on November 19, 2025.
Salus has been a long-standing partner of Kawasaki and possesses extensive expertise in BK117 series operations and maintenance, as well as a broad network across Oceania and other regions. The company provides maintenance and aircraft leasing service for the BK117 series aircraft operating in these areas.
Under this FA, the two companies aim to strengthen the sales structure for the BK117 series in Oceania and other regions, and expand the after-sales support network, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and training services. By providing an integrated solution -from aircraft sales to operational support and maintenance- Kawasaki and Salus aim to enhance customer satisfaction in the Oceania region and contribute to safe, efficient, and high quality air transportation.
About KHI : Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is a global technology leader with over 120 years of expertise across aerospace, rolling stock, and energy systems. As a pioneer in Japanese aviation, the company specializes in advanced helicopters, aerospace components, and hydrogen energy solutions. Under its "Group Vision 2030," Kawasaki is committed to driving innovation in carbon neutrality and automated logistics.
The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in August 2026 and January 2027 respectively.
This order represents the first BK117 D-3 delivery to the Oceania region and brings Kawasaki’s cumulative order total for the model to 43 units (the second and third units for the international market).
Prior to this order, Kawasaki and Salus signed a Framework Agreement (FA) for sales and maintenance cooperation of the BK117 series on November 19, 2025.
Salus has been a long-standing partner of Kawasaki and possesses extensive expertise in BK117 series operations and maintenance, as well as a broad network across Oceania and other regions. The company provides maintenance and aircraft leasing service for the BK117 series aircraft operating in these areas.
Under this FA, the two companies aim to strengthen the sales structure for the BK117 series in Oceania and other regions, and expand the after-sales support network, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and training services. By providing an integrated solution -from aircraft sales to operational support and maintenance- Kawasaki and Salus aim to enhance customer satisfaction in the Oceania region and contribute to safe, efficient, and high quality air transportation.
| Main Specifications of the H145 / BK117D3 | |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 13.54 m |
| Overall Width | 1.73 m (Fuselage) |
| Overall Height | 3.98 m |
| Seating Capacity | 10（Standard）、12（Maximum） |
| MTOW | 3,800 kg |
| Max Speed | Approx. 263 km/h(at 5,000 ft, MTOW) |
| Range | 723 km (Standard Tank, at 5,000 ft, MTOW) |
| Main Equipment | Autopilot, GPS Map Display, HTAWS, etc. |
About KHI : Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is a global technology leader with over 120 years of expertise across aerospace, rolling stock, and energy systems. As a pioneer in Japanese aviation, the company specializes in advanced helicopters, aerospace components, and hydrogen energy solutions. Under its "Group Vision 2030," Kawasaki is committed to driving innovation in carbon neutrality and automated logistics.
Comments | Join community |
| Congratulations to Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Salus Aviation on the BK117D-3 order. Every new aircraft entering service today becomes part of the future aviation aftermarket. As rotary-wing fleets expand, maintenance capability, spare parts availability, and supplier visibility become increasingly critical for operators and MRO partners. Aircraft deliveries drive the headlines, but lifecycle support keeps fleets flying. As fleets grow, what will be the biggest constraint: maintenance capacity, spare parts availability, or supplier visibility? #Rotorcraft #Helicopters #AviationAftermarket #MRO #AircraftParts #PartsCollab |
See also |
BK117D-3 in
Salus Aviation BK117D-3 in
Kawasaki Heavy Industries 
