Thai Royal Army Takes Delivery of First Boeing AH-6i Helicopters

The Royal Thai Army has received its first eight Boeing AH-6i Little Bird light attack and reconnaissance helicopters, valued at an estimated $400 million. The order is part of a Foreign Military Sales program approved by the US Department of State in September 2019.

The helicopters were produced by Boeing's Mesa facility in Arizona, with training for Thai pilots also taking place there and at the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground. In January 2026, the RTA Aviation Center held a ceremony to present AH-6i patches to the first group of pilots, technicians, and other service members selected to train on the new helicopters.

The AH-6i is an export version of the Little Bird family of light attack helicopters, equipped with an electro-optical observation system and capable of employing guided and unguided air-launched weapons. The RTA has ordered a total of eight AH-6i helicopters to replace its fleet of seven AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters.

The delivery raises questions over whether production has actually ended, as reports suggest that the RTA plans to order eight more AH-6i helicopters next year.