Kobe City Orders Kawasaki BK117C-2 Firefighting Helicopter

Tokyo, October 15, 2013 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today that the Kobe municipal government has signed a deal for its latest Kawasaki BK117C-2 helicopter. It is the ninth C-2 model to be used for disaster relief. The new helicopter is scheduled to replace an existing disaster relief helicopter deployed by the Kobe Air Rescue Team.

The Kawasaki BK117 helicopter was developed jointly by Kawasaki and European helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD), formerly Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB). The BK117 is a medium-sized twin-engine multi-purpose helicopter that is used for a wide range of applications including broadcasting, transporting cargo and passengers, fighting fires, police work, emergency medical services and more.

When employed as a medevac, the large clamshell doors at the rear of the BK117 facilitate the quick transfer of stretchers and other equipment in and out of the helicopter. Its spacious cabin, compact body and superior mobility have earned the BK117 high marks around the world for uses in firefighting, disaster relief and emergency medical services.

Since its market debut in 1983, the BK117 has undergone continuous improvements, making it the best-selling model in the world. Kawasaki’s outstanding technological know-how and proven track record have resulted in orders for 161 helicopters as of October 15, 2013. Together with those delivered by ECD, there are over 1,000 in use around the globe.

Kawasaki continues to maintain its competitive edge with superior technological capabilities and outstanding customer services as it actively markets its BK117C-2 helicopters.