Thailand Receives First AH-6i Little Bird Helicopters

The first Boeing AH-6i Little Bird light attack and reconnaissance helicopters ordered for the Royal Thai Army (RTA) have arrived in Thailand.

Thai commentator Wuthi11 reported this on X and published footage of the helicopters being transported.

The RTA has ordered a total of eight AH-6i helicopters, which are set to replace its fleet of seven AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters.

The maximum estimated value of the package, including weapons, training, and logistical support, was $400 million.

🇹🇭🇺🇸 Finally, eight Boeing AH-6i light attack helicopters ordered by the Royal Thai Army have been delivered.

Thailand may be Boeing’s last AH-6i customer, but reports that the RTA plans to order 8 more next year raise questions over whether production has actually ended. https://t.co/itoAIJibe1 pic.twitter.com/Y1qwCb7hQu

— Нем🥖 (@wuthi11_) September 27, 2026

AH-6i Production for Thailand

In September 2019, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of the helicopters to Thailand through the Foreign Military Sales program.

On February 18, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the signing of a contract with Boeing to produce and deliver a batch of AH-6i helicopters.

The first AH-6i from Thailand’s order made its maiden flight on August 22, 2024, at Boeing’s Mesa, Arizona, facility.

At the time, the remaining seven helicopters were at various stages of production. After completing assembly, Boeing was also to train Thai pilots at its Mesa facility and at the U.S. 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 Little Bird is an export version of the Little Bird family of light attack helicopters. The aircraft is equipped with an electro-optical observation system and can employ guided and unguided air-launched weapons, including AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

Thailand will likely be the last customer to order production AH-6i helicopters. In February 2025, Boeing representative Mark Ballew said that the company planned to shut down the Little Bird production line in Mesa after completing the eight helicopters for the RTA unless it received a new order.

The RTA and the Saudi Arabian National Guard currently operate the helicopter.