Originally referred to as the BK 117 C2, the EC145 is based upon the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1, which became a part of the combined Eurocopter line-up in 1992 with the merger of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm's helicopter division of Daimler-Benz and the helicopter division of Aérospatiale-Matra to form Eurocopter.
Orixinalmente coñecido como o BK 117 C2, o EC145 está baseado no MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1, que pasou a formar parte dos modelos de Eurocopter en 1992 coa fusión da división de helicópteros Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm de Daimler-Benz e a división de helicópteros de Aérospatiale-Matra para formar Eurocopter.