Sunday09 February 2025
toshkent24.com

In the U.S., some helicopters used by Afghan pilots to evacuate to Uzbekistan after the Taliban took control have been returned.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent – According to AN Podrobno.uz, the United States has returned a portion of military equipment that Afghan pilots transported to Uzbekistan in 2021 while fleeing the advance of the Taliban. This information was reported by a Podrobno.uz correspondent.
В США вернули часть вертолетов, на которых афганские пилоты эвакуировались в Узбекистан после прихода "Талибана" к власти.

This information was revealed during an event dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of Uzbekistan, which took place at the country's embassy in Washington.

According to the details shared at the meeting, the majority of American aircraft and helicopters that Afghan pilots evacuated to Uzbekistan were handed over to the republic. However, seven Black Hawk helicopters, deemed operational by the Pentagon, were returned to the U.S.

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Davis Florik expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for its long-standing military-technical cooperation, highlighting its important role in supporting international missions, evacuating Afghan refugees, and providing humanitarian assistance.

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the U.S. and Canada, Furkat Sidikov, emphasized Tashkent's readiness to expand cooperation with Washington, noting the significance of collaboration in the fields of security and defense.

It is worth recalling that in August 2021, over 500 Afghan military personnel arrived in Uzbekistan aboard American aviation equipment—22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters. The "Taliban" has repeatedly demanded the return of this equipment to Afghanistan.