Illustrative image, Fighter of the Taliban
After capturing vast parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban seized eight military helicopters which were left behind by the Afghan Air Force (AAF).
In the northwestern province of Herat, whose capital was captured by the Taliban on August 12, the group seized four Mi-8/17 military helicopters.
Two of the captured helicopters were in an operational condition while the other two were undergoing maintenance in Shindand Air Base at the time of capture.
🇦🇫⚡️Fully functional helicopter captured by Taliban in Herat. pic.twitter.com/67JtbqZbff
— LONE- -WOLF (@lone_wolf828) August 13, 2021
#Taliban reportedly shown at captured Shindand Air Base, Herat Province with two #Afghanistan Air Force Mi-17 Hip helicopters undergoing maintenance and a room of spares parts. pic.twitter.com/cGR2kDF8fJ
— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) August 13, 2021
The AAF operates more than 50 Mi-8/17 helicopters in its “Special Mission Wing.” These helicopters are mainly used to support the special operations of the Afghan National Army.
In the southern province of Helmand, the Taliban captured a damaged US-made MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light scout attack helicopter.
The helicopter crash landed in southern parts of Helmand’s capital, Lashkargah, on July 29. Back then, the Taliban claimed that the helicopter was “shot down” by its fighters.
#Taliban reportedly shown with another non-operational #Afghanistan Air Force helicopter#US supplied Bell MD-530F ‘289’ was damaged in emergency landing in Bolan area, Helmand province 29 July.https://t.co/m9zzvp5BkB pic.twitter.com/xFiuPAjaNa
— Joseph Dempsey (@JosephHDempsey) August 13, 2021
More than 60 US-made MD 530F helicopters are in service with the AAF. The helicopter can be armed with FN HMP400 gun pods with FN M3P .50 BMG heavy machine gun or with M260 rocket pods with 7 unguided Hydra 70 rockets.
In the southeastern province of Ghazni, Taliban fighters seized a second MD 530F helicopter as well as two US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The helicopters appeared to be heavily damaged.
TB seized two more helicopters in Ghazni. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/zOhKaCeUeu
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 13, 2021
Earlier this week, the Taliban also captured a Mi-35 attack helicopter and several US-made Boeing Insitu ScanEagle drones which were left behind by government forces at Kunduz Airport in northeastern Afghanistan.
It is still unclear if the Taliban will be able to operate any of the helicopters or drones captured recently by its fighters. The loss of these equipment was, however, a serious blow to the AAF which is already struggling from limited resources. Most of these equipment were paid for, or supplied by the US.
- Taliban Fighters Reach Kabul Doorstep After Capturing Logar Capital (Videos)
- The Taliban’s Blitzkrieg Continues: Kandahar, Four Other Provincial Capitals Claimed By The Group (Videos)
I’m waiting for the day this happens to IDF F-35s.
Ah the F-35 … the maintenance requirements of a wooden sailboat combined with the functionality and ease of use of Windows Vista … why would you wish this on the Taliban? The could get the same value running cash through a wood chipper then burning it.
The Taliban have also captured at least one Su 17 multi role fighter.
The Soviets had supplied SU-7/22 to the AAF but the main workhorse was the MIG-21 until 1992. Most of SU-7 are now inoperable. The US had promised the moon, but delivered barely 70 helicopters and a few Super Tucanos for COIN. The current AAF is hardly an airforce and will disappear shortly.
Oy oy…
oy vey
Fall of Saigon Part II…
https://asiatimes.com/2021/08/all-roads-lead-to-the-battle-for-kabul/
Pepe Escobar of Asia Times is perhaps the most well informed journalist in current times. I have often wondered why SF does not gratis syndicate his articles like Global Research and Zero Hedge regularly and many other progressive websites do.
Your mama’s a disgusting scumbag whore bitch
The Taliban have no need for helicopters, jets or bombers.
Real men fight on foot.
or Toyota Hi-lux.
Go ahead you Western mercenary drug-dependent mask wearing fairies!! Real men, the Taliban, have kicked your asses out of their country and this is just the beginning. Iraq is next and then Syria.
ISIS Syria 2.0
Trafficking and terrorism to destabilize Russia’s southern region?
Crazy how equipment is just left for the enemy.