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<p class=”text-body text-muted small”>Thailand’s earlier approval for the Boeing AH-6i light attack helicopter has now been firmed up into a confirmed sale. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)</p>
<p>The US Department of Defense (DoD) has confirmed the sale of eight Boeing AH-6i light attack and reconnaissance rotorcraft to Thailand, with a related contract notification posted in late December 2023.</p>
<p>With US State Department approval for the sale having been granted in September 2019, US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) disclosed that it is to award BAE Systems a contract to integrate the Advance Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guided rockets that were included in the original US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification.</p>
<p>The APKWS contract notification firms up the USD400 million deal for eight AH-6i Little Bird helicopters that will enable the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to retire its seven ageing Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters.</p>
<p>Further to the impending NAVAIR contract for 200 APKWS rockets, the deal will include 50 Lockheed Martin AGM-114R Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, 10 Dillion M134 7.62 mm Miniguns, four General Dynamics GAU-19/B 12.7 mm Gatling guns, 500 70 mm Hydra rockets, 20 night-vision goggles, eight WESCAM MX-10Di electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, as well as other equipment and support.</p>
<p>“As part of a broader military modernisation effort, these AH-6i helicopters will provide light attack reconnaissance for close air support to special operations forces, Stryker infantry soldiers, and border guard units,” the DSCA said in its original approval notification.</p>
<p>Thailand is the second customer for the AH-6i, with Saudi Arabia operating the type (designated AH-6SA in national service) in its national guard.</p>