New emergency helicopter for Japan’s Shimane Prefecture
The helicopter, to be supplied by Kawasaki, is due for delivery in the first quarter of 2028
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has received an order from the government of Shimane Prefecture for a new H145/BK117 D-3 helicopter for use in disaster prevention and response operations.
The aircraft is due for delivery in March 2028, and features a double-opening cargo door at the rear for the loading and unloading of stretchers.
The helicopter has a maximum speed of approximately 263km/h, with a range of 723km using standard tanks.
Shimane Prefecture, located at the southwestern end of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, has a number of areas where a rapid emergency response is required but hindered by geography. It features a long coastline with a number of populated islands to the north, as well as parts of the Chūgoku mountain range in the south.
The Japanese government placed an order for 17 Block II Chinooks earlier this year.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.