After capturing vast parts of Afghanistan, the Taliban seized seven 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 a US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Both helicopters appeared to be damaged beyond repair.
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.
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