Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) entered the helicopter industry in 1952 by signing a technical agreement with the American company Bell Aircraft Corporation, which led to the 1954 completion of the Kawasaki-Bell 47D-1, the first helicopter ever built in Japan.
Over the following decades, Kawasaki expanded its rotorcraft portfolio through extensive licensed production of various models, including the KH-4 (derived from the Bell 47), the KV-107 (based on the Boeing Vertol 107), and the heavy-lift CH-47J/JA Chinook.
A major milestone occurred in 1977 when Kawasaki partnered with Germany's MBB (now Airbus Helicopters) to co-develop the BK117, Japan's first domestically developed multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter, which made its maiden flight in 1979.
Today, Kawasaki continues to advance its helicopter technology through the evolved BK117/H145 series and indigenous military designs like the OH-1 observation helicopter, while exploring future solutions such as the K-RACER-X2 unmanned cargo helicopter.
Over the following decades, Kawasaki expanded its rotorcraft portfolio through extensive licensed production of various models, including the KH-4 (derived from the Bell 47), the KV-107 (based on the Boeing Vertol 107), and the heavy-lift CH-47J/JA Chinook.
A major milestone occurred in 1977 when Kawasaki partnered with Germany's MBB (now Airbus Helicopters) to co-develop the BK117, Japan's first domestically developed multi-purpose twin-engine helicopter, which made its maiden flight in 1979.
Today, Kawasaki continues to advance its helicopter technology through the evolved BK117/H145 series and indigenous military designs like the OH-1 observation helicopter, while exploring future solutions such as the K-RACER-X2 unmanned cargo helicopter.
News about Kawasaki Heavy Industries |
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
Third Kawasaki BK117D-3 to Central Helicopter Service
09-Feb-24 - The Kawasaki production line in Japan delivered the third H145 / Bk117D3 to local operator Central Helicopter Service (CHS) . The helicopter was in air ambulance configuration and will be operated on behalf national agency Doctor-Heli #Kawasaki
New Orders for Kawasaki Bk117D3 Helicopters
02-May-23 - Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) will deliver a 3rd and 4th 5-bladed helicopter to the Japanese National Police Agency. Also a VIP helicopter was ordered by NMB-Minebea Thai Ltd #Bk117D3
Kawasaki Bk117D3 for CHS / Doctor-Heli
27-Dec-22 - Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) delivered another locally manufactured Bk117D3 ( Airbus H145D3) to Central Helicopter Service (CHS) to be used as air ambulance by national medical service Doctor-Heli #Bk117D3
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Model Types| Model | Del'd | From | To | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KHI BK117D-3 | 2022 | |||
| Airbus H145D2 / EC145T2 | ||||
| Airbus H145D3 | ||||
| Hughes 369HS | ||||
| Kawasaki 369HS | ||||
| Kawasaki BK117A-4 | ||||
| Kawasaki BK117B-1 | ||||
| Kawasaki BK117C-2 | ||||
| Kawasaki BK117D-2 | ||||
| Kawasaki OH-1 | ||||
List of Aircraft |
| Model | C/N | Built | ID | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OH-1 | 1025 | 32625 : Kawasaki OH-1, c/n 1025, ff?; at Kawasaki May09; for JGSDF as OH- ...  | ||
| H145D3 | 21027 | 2021 | JA005Y : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| H145D2 / EC145T2 | 20070 | JA02BK : Kawasaki from Aug18, test serial D-HADJ, pictured : Kawasaki from Sep22 | ||
| H145D3 | 21124 | 2022 | JA06BK : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| H145D3 | 21080 | 2021 | JA06CP : Kawasaki Heavy Industries Jul/Nov 2022 | |
| BK117C-2 | 4045 | JA117A : Kawasaki Mar18-May22, test serial JQ4045 | ||
| H145D3 | 21052 | 2021 | JA117C : KHI Feb/Oct 2022 | |
| BK117C-2 | 4040 | JA117T : Kawasaki from May16 | ||
| H145D2 / EC145T2 | 20277 | 2019 | JA131D : Kawasaki Heavy Industries Sep19, test serial D-HADP | |
| H145D3 | 21173 | JA132D : KHI | ||
| BK117D-2 | 20293 | JA145C : Kawasaki Mar/Oct 2021 | ||
| H145D3 | 21067 | 2021 | JA145D : Kawasaki Heavy Industries Nov22 | |
| H145D3 | 21105 | 2022 | JA23DR : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| H145D3 | 21031 | 2021 | JA634P : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| BK117B-1 | 1073 | JA6660 : KHI, to VH-KHO | ||
| H145D3 | 21116 | 2022 | JA6899 : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| H145D3 | 21060 | 2021 | JA6938 : Kawasaki Heavy Industries May/Oct 2022 | |
| H145D3 | 21084 | JA6939 : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | ||
| H145D3 | 21102 | 2022 | JA6940 : Kawasaki Heavy Industries | |
| H145D3 | 21305 | 2024 | JA6941 : Kawasaki Heavy Industries at Kakamigahara, Japan from Apr25 | |
| 369HS | 0217S | JA9050 : Kawasaki, conv to c/n 6610 | ||
| 369HS | 6610 | JA9050 : Kawasaki conv from Hughes c/n 119-0217S | ||
| H145D3 | 21136 | 2022 | JA908H : Kawasaki Heavy Industries at Kakamigahara, Japan from Aug24 | |
| BK117A-4 | 1020 | JA9911 : KHI, to ZK-HJK | ||
| BK117A-4 | 1018 | JA9940 : KHI, to ZK-HNE | ||
| BK117B-1 | 1030 | 1988 | JA9941 : Kawasaki Oct/Dec 2006 |
