Taliban restore Black Hawk helicopters left by the US and strengthen their air force

English Posted on  —by Carro e motos
Taliban restore Black Hawk helicopters left by the US and strengthen their air force
Taliban restore Black Hawk helicopters left by the US and strengthen their air force (X @MoDAfghanistan2)

After the United States withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban took control of several aircraft, including at least 16 UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters.

Some were damaged or inoperable, but since then the group has started efforts to restore them. Reports at the time, such as those from Al Jazeera, already indicated the Taliban’s interest in forming their own air force without relying on external aid.

According to researcher Lucas Mueller and Scramble magazine, several of these aircraft were located at different bases in the country, such as Kabul, Kandahar, and Bagram. At least seven Black Hawk helicopters were identified in operation between 2022 and 2025, with specific serial numbers confirmed by Taliban publications and visual analysis. Some of these helicopters were restored from damaged units, while others were in better condition, including thanks to the defection of Afghan pilots.

It is estimated that the Taliban have reactivated six to eight Black Hawk helicopters by May 2025. According to official data, before the withdrawal, Afghanistan had 36 units of this model, indicating that nearly a quarter of the former Afghan Air Force fleet has returned to service under Taliban control.

This capability reinforces the group’s military consolidation and demonstrates its commitment to maintaining its own air power.

Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @MoDAfghanistan2 | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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