The Eurocopter EC-120 B Colibri is a 5-seat light utility helicopter powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turbine engine. The EC 120 B Colibri, also known as Hummingbird, was developed with simplicity of design and low costs of maintenance in mind. It makes extensive use of composite materials and modern avionics. The new generation of fenestron tail rotor takes part in the decrease in external noise level, which makes the EC120 B ideal for missions near settled areas. The project started in 1990 when Aerospatiale of France, CATIC of China and Singapore Aerospace agreed in forming a partnership to develop a new light helicopter, then designated P‑120L. Definition phase of the original P120L was subsequently redesigned with 500 kg lower gross weight and new engine and rotor. The helicopter divisions of Aerospatiale from France and MBB from Germany merged in January 1992 to form the Eurocopter Group. In October 1992, development of the new helicopter started and in January 1993, Eurocopter designation EC 120 was given to the helicopter. Mid-1993, the design definition was completed and assembly of first of two prototypes began at Eurocopter France at Marignane in early 1995. Eurocopter EC-120 prototype F-WWPA c/n 1 flew first on 9 June 1995. The second prototype (F-WWPD c/n 2) was flown 17 July 1996. Certification to JAR 27 was achieved on 16 June 1997. Production of the EC 120 began on a small scale in 1997 at Eurocopter France's Marignane facility, with the first production Colibri (F-WWPL c/n 1005) flying on 5 December 1997. Next to the Eurocopter France production line, in 2004 an assembly line was built in Harbin, China to manufacture the EC120 helicopter, designated HC-120 for the Chinese market. Eurocopter has delivered more than 550 EC120 helicopters.

The 1997-built Eurocopter EC120B c/n 1005 was the first production Eurocopter EC120 B. On 5 December 1997, the airframe flew first. Eurocopter France used the test registration F-WWPL. On 23 January 1998, the Colibri was delivered to Japan and registered JA120B with Nosaki Sangyo on 17 April 1998. In May 1999 the registration N62HC was assigned but not taken up. On 2 October 2001, the registration JA120B was cancelled. The Colibri was registered ZK-HKE in New Zealand with Helicharter on 2 November 2001. The ZK-registration was cancelled as exported on 25 January 2005. On 7 March 2005, the helicopter arrived on delivery at the Heli-Holland heliport near Emmen in the Netherlands. The Colibri was registered PH-ECE in the Netherlands with Heli Holland Holding BV, Emmer-Compascuum, on 9 June 2005. The helicopter is operated by Heli-Holland since. In October 2005, the PH‑ECE flew one week in special "caddycopter" colours. Part of these colors was the VW-front of the Colibri with the NL number-plate ‘16‑BP‑RK’.