Description
Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja JGSDF OH-X programme. In late 1980s, the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF) launched the OH-X programme to acquire a new indigenous observation helicopter to replace its Kawasaki license-built OH-6Ds. Design proposals for the OH-X programme were presented by Kawasaki, Fuji and Mitsubishi. Kawasaki's design was selected. The first prototype XOH-1 completed its maiden flight in 1996. Kawasaki handed over a total of four prototypes to the Japan Ministry of Defence by August 1997. The first production OH-1 was delivered to the JGSDF in January 2000. The JGSDF had planned to acquire 180 to 200 OH-1 helicopters, but the purchases were affected by defence budget cuts. About 34 OH-1s had entered service with the JGSDF by March 2012.