The Taliban’s defense ministry tested recently repaired equipment, much of which was left behind by foreign soldiers and purchased since the Taliban seized power a year ago, as military aircraft of the group raced above the Afghan capital on Wednesday.
Two other American-made aircraft and at least one jet, along with what seemed to be at least one Russian-made MI-24 assault helicopter, flew low over Kabul’s skies close to the airport.
According to Enayatullah Khowarazmi, a spokesman for the military ministry, the Taliban had recently refurbished some helicopters and were using the flyovers as a test. He simply mentioned that “all types of aircraft” were being evaluated without specifying the precise manufacturer or nation of origin.
Who had supplied the technical know-how to fix the helicopters remained unclear. Pilots, mechanics, and other experts from the former Afghan National Army would be incorporated into the Taliban’s security forces, according to Taliban officials.
Additionally, the defense ministry reported in a statement that its technical team had recently repaired 20 military Navistar 7000 vehicles made in the US, 15 armored Humvees, and 35 tanks. All had been destroyed when the Taliban overran the nation in August 2021, and the hardline organization commemorated the anniversary on Monday with gatherings and shooting. After a chaotic escape operation, US troops destroyed more than 70 planes, several armored vehicles, and air defenses before taking off from Kabul’s airport.
According to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the United States sent the Afghan government about $28 billion worth of defense goods and services between 2002 and 2017, including weapons, ammunition, vehicles, night-vision equipment, planes, and surveillance systems.
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A year ago, Afghan forces on the run transported several of the aircraft into neighboring Central Asian nations, but the Taliban took possession of the other planes. It is yet unknown how many are active.
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