The Taliban in Afghanistan have showcased their capability to repair and maintain helicopters, with their latest feat involving the repair of another American helicopter, a UH-60 Blackhawk, Sputnik Afghanistan reported on February 9.
During recent battles in the Panjshir and Andarab valleys, the Taliban utilized the Blackhawk for troop deployment, highlighting its operational significance. However, reports suggest that the Taliban lost one such vehicle during a training flight in Kabul.
In 2022, the Taliban interim administration undertook the task of repairing 70 military planes and helicopters that were damaged by U.S. soldiers before their departure from Afghanistan in August of 2021. According to Inayatullah Khawarizmi, the spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, all 70 repaired aircraft were fully operational and actively serving in the Afghan Air Force.
Khawarizmi highlighted the Taliban's commitment to self-reliance, stating that the repairs were conducted using their own resources and the expertise of Afghan technicians. While 70 aircraft successfully repaired and reintegrated into service, additional damaged and unusable military aircraft were undergoing repairs.
In addition to repairing damaged aircraft, the Taliban focused on expanding the Afghan army, with plans to increase its personnel to over 100,000 in the coming years. Recruitment efforts have targeted former soldiers from the previous administration, with an emphasis on inclusivity and representation from all ethnic groups.
Earlier Daryo reported that Hikmatullah Maiwandi, the official spokesperson for the Afghan energy company DABS, announced that Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have collectively received $627 mn. Maiwandi noted that these payments were outstanding from the previous government before the Taliban assumed control, marking the first instance of Afghanistan making advance payments for electricity.
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