The EC-145 is a development of the Bk-117 series. Work commenced on the design in 1997, the type being initially marketed in Japan as the Bk 117C-2.

One of a series of helicopters produced by Eurocopter, the Franco/German consortium. The prototype of the EC-120 Colibri (F-WWPA), initially designated the P120L, flew for the first time on 9 June 1995, the second prototype (F-WWPD) flying on 17 July 1996.