7 Afghan Army Black Hawk Helicopters Moved to US via Uzbekistan

The media in Uzbekistan have reported that 7 Black Hawk helicopters from the former Afghanistan’s army, which had been taken to Uzbekistan, have now been transferred to the United States. According to reports, the Pentagon deemed these helicopters fit for use and relocated them to the U.S.

Uzbekistani media stated that a total of 22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters from the former Afghanistan’s army were in Uzbekistan. Of these, seven helicopters have now been sent to the U.S.

The 7 Black Hawk helicopters, originally part of Afghanistan’s military assets, were transferred from Uzbekistan to the United States, marking a significant development in U.S.-Uzbekistan defense relations.

Also See: Trump Seeks Return of US Military Equipment from IEA

During a ceremony at the Uzbekistan’s Embassy in Washington, marking the 33rd anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces, officials from both countries emphasized strengthening relations and maintaining close cooperation in defense and security, particularly regarding Afghanistan and regional stability.

Furkat Sidikov, Uzbekistan’s ambassador to the U.S., announced that Tashkent is ready to expand cooperation with Washington in all fields. He also highlighted that Uzbekistan places great importance on collaboration between the security agencies and armed forces of both countries.

At the event, Sidikov, emphasized the strategic partnership between Tashkent and Washington in security and defense. He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the U.S. through military programs and defense exchanges.

Davis Florick, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, highlighted the mutual trust between the two nations and underlined the importance of ongoing defense collaboration. He noted that U.S.-Uzbekistan cooperation also aims to contribute to broader regional stability in Central Asia.

Following the IEA’s takeover in August 2021, Afghan pilots fled to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan using military aircraft previously supplied by the U.S. to the Afghan Air Force. According to Pentagon data, Uzbekistan took in 46 aircraft, while Tajikistan received 18.

In April 2022, Uzbekistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, confirmed that Uzbekistan planned to return the aircraft to the U.S., asserting that they were purchased by the American government. However, the IEA demanded that the helicopters be handed back to Afghanistan, calling them the “property of the Afghan people.”

The U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration for leaving behind billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment in Afghanistan. He has described it as one of the greatest military blunders, arguing that these weapons are now in the hands of the IEA and being used against American interests.

Trump has suggested that the U.S. should take aggressive measures to reclaim or neutralize these weapons. He has proposed military or covert operations to either retrieve the equipment or ensure that the IEA cannot use it effectively.

The issue of U.S. weapons left in Afghanistan remains a contentious topic in American politics, with Trump using it as a key point in his criticism of current U.S. foreign policy. He argues that stronger leadership would have ensured that these military assets were either removed or destroyed before the withdrawal, preventing them from strengthening IEA forces.

This news is sourced from [Khaama Press News Agency] and is for informational purposes only.