Japanese defence forces opt for European choppers for the first time

Tokyo: Japan's defence forces will opt for European helicopters for the first time, purchasing at least two EC135 choppers with options for another 13. Eurocopter has sold choppers in Japan for a long time though only for civil use.

Japan's defence ministry has said it selected the EC135 Eurocopter as part of "bidding for training helicopters for the Maritime Self-Defence Forces", which is how the officially pacifist Japan refers to its navy.

The order, though small, is a significant one as Japan sources most of its military equipment from the United States, with which it has a security alliance.

Eurocopter, part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) consortium, which includes Airbus, bid for the contract against British-Italian firm AgustaWestland.

French transport minister, Dominique Bussereau, on a visit to Tokyo welcomed the deal. "I have thanked Japan," Bussereau informed the media. "This is a very major contract as it marks the first time that Eurocopter has signed a contract with the Japanese navy."

The value of the contract is yet to be declared.

The order comes even as a European consortium, including EADS, tries to sell the Eurofighter to Japan. The Asian power has been seeking the fifth generation US F-22A Raptor but has failed to convince the US Congress to relax rules, which forbid any export of the advanced stealth jets, in its favour.