Uzbekistan to Return Part of Afghanistan’s Military Aircraft

DID Press: Informed sources reported that Uzbekistan will return 57 helicopters belonging to the former Afghanistani army to Kabul, a move seen as signaling a new chapter in regional relations and security cooperation between Afghanistan and its Central Asian neighbors.

According to the sources, the 57 military helicopters were transferred to Uzbekistan in 2021 following the collapse of Ashraf Ghani-led government which are expected to be handed back to Afghanistan in the coming days.

U.S. Department of Defense reported that a total of 64 military aircraft – including Mi-17 and UH-60 helicopters, as well as A-29 and C-208 planes – had been flown out of Afghanistan to neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan at the time.

Since taking control of Kabul, the Taliban caretaker government has repeatedly demanded the return of these aircraft, though host countries had not previously issued an official response.

Observers suggest that the return of the equipment marks a shift in regional dynamics and growing security engagement between Afghanistan and Central Asian states.