Kawasaki Receives Order from Kobe Municipal Government for Latest Model of H145/BK117 D-3 Firefighting and Disaster Relief Helicopter

Tokyo, June 25, 2025 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today the receipt of an order by the Kobe Municipal Government for the latest model of its H145/BK117 D-3 multipurpose twin-engine helicopter (hereafter, "D-3"), with delivery scheduled for March 2027. This is the sixth order for the D-3 intended for firefighting and disaster relief applications as Kobe Municipal Government plans to use it for disaster relief. As of today, Kawasaki’s orders for the D-3 have reached 37 in total.

This latest model offers rear clamshell doors which make it easy to load and unload a patient on a stretcher, an optimally-designed cabin and cargo room realizing a fully-flat floor, and high-altitude hovering performance. These features permit safe rescues in mountainous areas and smooth emergency transport of patients. The D-3 is also equipped with state-of-the-art avionics which achieve a higher safety performance as well as a reduction in pilot workload, and a cutting-edge, 5-blade main rotor system, which results in less vibration and easier maintenance than previous models.

The BK117 is a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter jointly developed with the European company Airbus Helicopters, and is used for various purposes, including emergency medical services, law enforcement, broadcasting, and personnel and cargo transportation, in addition to firefighting and disaster relief applications. Since delivery of the first unit in 1983, the BK117 has been undergoing consistent upgrading, and thanks to its sophisticated technological features and proven reliability, Kawasaki has successfully delivered 204 units as of today. Taking into account deliveries made by Airbus Helicopters, more than 2,000 units have been delivered worldwide.

Moving forward, Kawasaki will continue to improve the performance of the BK117, including the development of new equipment and components for various applications. With the mission of achieving comfortable and safe air mobility, Kawasaki will leverage strong customer trust fostered through successful deliveries in the past, as well as the company’s comprehensive customer support system which encompasses everything from development to manufacturing, and sales to after-sales services, in the pursuit of further business for the BK117, both domestically and internationally.

Related Links

Kawasaki Heavy Industries Web Media "ANSWERS": High-Performance, Twin-Engine, Multipurpose Helicopter BK117 D-3
https://answers.khi.co.jp/en/mobility/20210131e-01/