AgustaWestland has shipped the first EH101 helicopter for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force to Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), its partner on the program. KHI will complete and equip the helicopter at its Gifu facility and deliver it to the JMSDF in early 2006. The service has ordered 14 EH101s, with RTM322 engines, to replace a mixed fleet of MH-53Es and S-61s now used for mine-clearing, Antarctic support and transport missions. The remaining helicopters will be assembled by KHI from kits supplied by Agusta. Kit deliveries will start at the end of this year.
