TOKYO - Japans military will for the first time buy helicopters from Eurocopter, ordering training choppers from the unit of European aerospace giant EADS, officials said Jan. 16.

Japans defense ministry said on its Web site that it selected the EC135 Eurocopter as part of "bidding for training helicopters for the Maritime Self-Defence Forces," pacifist Tokyos official name for its navy.
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Japan buys 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, which includes Airbus, was bidding for the contract against British-Italian firm AgustaWestland.

French Transport Minister Dominique Bussereau, visiting Tokyo for talks on global warming, welcomed the deal.

"I have thanked Japan," Bussereau said. "This is a very major contract as it marks the first time that Eurocopter has signed a contract with the Japanese navy."

Eurocopter has sold choppers in Japan since 1964 but until now has sold only for civilian use.

The value of the contract has yet to be decided. Industrial sources said Japan would initially buy two choppers, but that the order could go up to 15.

The order comes as a European consortium including EADS tries to sell to Japan its Eurofighter jets.

Japan has been seeking the next-generation U.S. F-22A Raptor, which can evade radar detection at supersonic speeds. But the U.S. Congress forbids any exports of the advanced stealth jets.

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