The Taliban today have credible air force equipment courtesy of Joe Biden’s hasty retreat from Afghanistan.
According to American estimates, about 40 aircraft and drones, including Mi-17 and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, fell into the hands of the Taliban.
But this is only a quarter of the large fleet of the Afghan Air Force, which was built with US funds. The bulk of the aircraft was able to fly to neighboring states before the Taliban occupied the airfields. Several rotorcraft ended up in the Panjshir Gorge. But most of the aircraft were transported to Uzbekistan.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office of Uzbekistan, on August 14-15, 22 aircraft and 24 helicopters with 585 military personnel on board violated the country’s air borders from Afghanistan. Even though the department later withdrew its statement, satellite images show about 50 aircraft from the neighboring country at the Termez airfield alone.
Reconnaissance and strike aircraft Cessna AC-208 and light attack aircraft A-29 Super Tucano, helicopters Mi-17, Mi-25, and UH-60 Black Hawk are seen among those which have landed at the airfields and fields of Uzbekistan.
The tense air situation led to a clash between the Afghan Super Tucano attack aircraft and the Uzbek MiG-29 fighter. Both planes crashed, and their crews ejected but were seriously injured.
The further fate of the escaped Afghan Air Force remains uncertain. This military equipment cannot be returned to the Taliban regime. But the United States has not yet made demands on it.
In addition, a decision has not been made by Uzbekistan to grant shelter to the crew and other Afghan soldiers now in the country.