Uzbekistan Hands Over Seized Afghan Black Hawk Helicopters to the US Amid Growing Tensions
In an immediate response to Uzbekistan’s decision to transfer the seven Black Hawk helicopters to the United States, Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense has urged Washington not to obstruct their return and to hand them over to the Afghan people, according to an official statement.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) –In a move that has reignited geopolitical tensions, Uzbekistan has handed over seven Black Hawk helicopters to the United States—aircraft that were once piloted into the country by Afghan military aviators desperately fleeing the Taliban’s rapid takeover in 2021, according to American diplomatic sources.
As the battle over ownership intensifies, the Taliban-led Afghan government is demanding the immediate return of the helicopters to Afghanistan, while U.S. President Donald Trump has issued his own call—urging the Taliban to surrender American weapons back to Washington.
“We have recovered these seven helicopters,” a U.S. Embassy official in Tashkent told AFP on condition of anonymity, confirming a report published by the Uzbek branch of Voice of America.
The report cited U.S. Department of Defense officials, stating that Washington had recently retrieved out-of-service helicopters that had been flown into Uzbekistan by Afghan military pilots escaping the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, shares a short southern border with Afghanistan.
In an immediate response to Uzbekistan’s decision to transfer the seven Black Hawk helicopters to the United States, Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defense has urged Washington not to obstruct their return and to hand them over to the Afghan people, according to an official statement.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is deeply concerned about this issue because these helicopters belong to Afghanistan and were flown to Uzbekistan when officials of the previous administration fled. Therefore, they should be returned to Afghanistan.”
“It is unacceptable to us that these helicopters are being transferred to the United States for any reason. The people of Afghanistan have the right to defend and reclaim their property, and neighboring countries must also respect the rights of Afghans,” the statement read.
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), citing satellite imagery, a total of 22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters carrying 585 Afghan military personnel crossed into Uzbekistan’s airspace during the fall of Kabul in 2021.
The United States had invested billions of dollars over two decades to build Afghanistan’s military capability after invading the country and ousting the Taliban regime following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Aircraft that were flown from Afghan air bases to Termez Airport in Uzbekistan included:
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano (light attack aircraft)
However, one Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano was lost after colliding with an Uzbek MiG-29 fighter jet that was escorting it. Both pilots successfully ejected and parachuted to safety.
Afghan’s Super Tucano
The Taliban has repeatedly insisted that all military aircraft and helicopters flown into Uzbekistan belong to Afghanistan and must be returned.
However, the Uzbek government declared that these military assets were the property of the United States and could not be returned—an assertion later confirmed by American officials.
As a result, most of the 46 aviation assets that ended up in Uzbekistan were handed over to the Uzbek government.
However, seven Black Hawk helicopters, which the Pentagondeemed operational, were returned to the United States.
Meanwhile, the former Afghan Air Force successfully evacuated at least 12 Cessna AC-208 reconnaissance and strike aircraft and one Pilatus PC-12NG to Tajikistan.
Additionally, at the time of the Taliban’s takeover, some Afghan military aircraft were stationed abroad, either awaiting transfer or undergoing maintenance.
In the United States, former Afghan Air Force assets were initially consolidated at a military base.
By April of last year, some Mi-17 helicopters were transferred to Ukraine, with a total of 20 helicopters announced for deployment.
