Taliban demands return of Black Hawk helicopters to the U.S.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Defense in Afghanistan has voiced strong objections to the recent transfer of Afghan helicopters to the United States. The Ministry expressed concerns over the relocation of seven Black Hawk helicopters from Uzbekistan, where they were temporarily stationed after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, to the U.S. This move has sparked outrage among Afghan officials, who are now calling for the return of the helicopters.
“It is unacceptable to 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 protect their rights, and neighboring countries must also respect the rights of Afghans,” stated the Ministry in an official statement.
The helicopters in question were part of the military assets that left Afghanistan following the fall of the previous government in August 2021. These included various models such as UH-60 Black Hawks, MD-530, and Mi-17 helicopters, as well as Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano and Pilatus PC-12 military aircraft, all housed in Uzbekistan temporarily. These assets were originally funded by the U.S. as part of its military assistance to Afghanistan.
In 2024, the U.S. had gifted over 40 aircraft and helicopters to Uzbekistan. Since then, the Taliban has been demanding the return of these assets, arguing that they rightfully belong to the Afghan people and should not be taken by foreign powers.
Early in 2025, Pentagon officials confirmed the transfer of several helicopters, including the seven Black Hawks, to the U.S. This has further aggravated tensions between the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan and the United States, with Afghan authorities continuing to demand the return of the helicopters as a matter of principle and sovereignty.
