The Japanese Ministry of Defence signs for 2 Eurocopter EC135 Training Helicopters. A second contract for 3 additional helicopters will follow next year with the objective of attaining a fleet of 15 training aircraft in total for the Maritime Self-Defence Forces. To be delivered before the end of this year, the EC135 helicopters are destined for the Naval Training School of Kanoya located on the island of Kyushu. This new fleet of EC135 training helicopters will add to the 3 EC225 VIP helicopters currently flying for the Japanese Self-Defence Forces.