US Set To Ship First AH-6i Helicopters To Saudi Arabia

The US Boeing is set to ship the first twelve AH-6i light attack and reconnaissance helicopters to Saudi Arabia.

The US has begun to deliver AH-6i helicopters that are capable of carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles after a one-month delay.

The helicopters  which are also capable of carrying machine guns of 7.62mm and 12.7mm, are to be shipped by air to Saudi Arabia's National Guard "as soon as possible", Sputnik News reported Saturday.

The second batch of twelve units will be delivered by sea. Initially, the aircraft were supposed to be delivered at the end of July, but the shipment was delayed for many unmentioned reasons.

Boeing had 6 machines ready in June, and the company will produce an additional two machines per month. The completed shipment is anticipated to reach Riyadh in February 2017.

Saudhi Arabia has been accused of numerous human rights violations in connection with the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen, including the killing of some 9,000 civilians and the deliberate destruction of civil objects, such as schools and hospitals.

The recent withdrawal of US military specialists from Saudi Arabia may be related to the US attempt to distance itself from Saudi war crimes.

An announcement regarding the transport of the first twelve AH-6i Little Bird helicopters was posted on the US Federal Business Opportunities website on Wednesday this week.