The Taliban-controlled Ministry of Defense has issued a statement expressing concern over the transfer of seven Afghan helicopters from Uzbekistan to the United States. These helicopters were originally moved to Uzbekistan following the collapse of the previous Afghan administration in 2021, when its officials fled the country.
According to the ministry, the helicopters belong to Afghanistan, and their transfer to the US is a matter of national sovereignty and security. The ministry has called for their immediate return to Afghanistan, emphasizing that the Afghan people have the right to defend their nation and access their property.
"It is unacceptable for us that these helicopters are being transferred to the United States for any reason; because the people of Afghanistan have the right to defend and question their rights, along with neighboring countries must also respect the rights of Afghans," the statement read.
Taliban has demanded that the US facilitate the return of these military assets, urging that no further obstacles be placed in the way of their repatriation. The ministry stressed that the helicopters must be handed over to Afghanistan without delay to support the nation’s defense capabilities.
Following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, several Afghan military aircraft, including helicopters, fled to Surkhandarya, Uzbekistan, where they were temporarily housed. Among the aircraft transferred were 22 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano and Pilatus PC-12 military aircraft, as well as 24 helicopters, including UH-60 Black Hawk, MD-530, and Mi-17 models. These assets were originally funded by the U.S. government for the Afghan military.
In 2024, the U.S. left more than 40 aircraft and helicopters in Uzbekistan. Despite the U.S. decision, the Taliban has been vocal in demanding the return of the equipment, arguing that the U.S. has no right to confiscate Afghan property.
In 2025, Pentagon officials attending an event at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington confirmed that some of the helicopters had been returned to the United States, including seven serviceable Black Hawk helicopters.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)