US takes back part of Black Hawk helicopters from Uzbekistan, stolen by the Afghan pilots
6 February, 2025 Afghan UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Photo: Rahman Gul (AP) Uzbekistan has transferred part of the UH60 Black Hawk helicopters, overtaken by Afghan pilots in 2021, to the United States.
The Uzbek branch of the Voice of America reported on this. In 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Kabul, Afghan pilots managed to smuggle some of the country's planes and helicopters to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. At the time, 22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters with 585 Afghan servicemen on board crossed Uzbekistan's airspace.
The aircraft that flew from Afghanistan's air bases to Termez airport included Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, Pilatus PC-12NG multirole aircraft, UH-60 Black Hawk and Mi-17 multirole helicopters, and MD-530 light multirole helicopters.
UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters of the Afghan Air Force. Photo from open sources
One of the Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucanos was lost in flight due to a collision with an Uzbek MiG-29 fighter jet accompanying it. The pilots of both aircraft ejected and landed by parachute.
Representatives of the Taliban have repeatedly stated that these planes and helicopters are the property of Afghanistan and must be returned. In response, official Tashkent stated that the airplanes and helicopters were the property of the United States and could not be returned. American officials later confirmed this statement by Uzbek officials.
As a result, most of the 46 pieces of aviation equipment that ended up in Uzbekistan were returned to Uzbekistan. However, seven Black Hawk helicopters, which the Pentagon recognized as suitable for operation, were returned to the United States.
Cessna AC-208 reconnaissance and strike aircraft of the Afghan Air Force in Tajikistan. Photo from open sources
The former Afghan Air Force was also able to evacuate at least 12 Cessna AC-208 reconnaissance and strike aircraft and one Pilatus PC-12NG to Tajikistan.
The possibility of using Cessna AC-208s in Ukraine as a prospect for fighting Shahed in Ukraine was discussed in our article. In addition, some of the aircraft, at the time of the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan in 2021, were outside the country, either untransferred or undergoing maintenance.
Mi-17s in Arizona prior to Ukraine delivery. April 2022.
Photo: 167th Airlift Wing
In the United States, the former Afghan Air Force aviation was initially brought to one military base.
As early as April, some of the Mi-17 helicopters began to be transferred to Ukraine.
A total of 20 such helicopters were announced.