Taliban Truck Driver Fly Abandoned U.S. Blackhawk Helicopter Left Behind in Afghanistan

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 marked the end of a twenty-year military involvement in the country. The initial intervention began in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and the mission evolved over time, with various strategies and goals. However, one of the most debated aspects of the U.S. withdrawal has been the vast amount of military equipment left behind. This equipment included everything from vehicles to advanced aircraft, raising concerns about who might now control this technology. The Taliban, who quickly took control of Afghanistan, have reportedly begun using some of the equipment, including Blackhawk helicopters. This situation has led to questions about the extent of the equipment left behind and the implications of it now being in Taliban hands.

Military Equipment Left Behind

The military hardware left behind in Afghanistan is extensive, with estimates ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars’ worth of equipment. As U.S. forces hurriedly left the country, they were unable to take all of the gear with them. Instead, much of it remained, including vehicles, weapons, and advanced aircraft. According to reports, some of this equipment was “demilitarized” before the withdrawal, meaning it was deliberately damaged to prevent it from being used. However, the full extent to which this demilitarization was effective remains unclear.

Among the equipment left behind were Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, Humvees, and various artillery systems. MRAPs, designed to withstand roadside bombs, were some of the most expensive vehicles left behind. Along with them, counter-rocket systems, mortar systems, small arms, and protective gear were also abandoned. While much of this equipment was intended to support Afghan forces, it is now under Taliban control.

Aircraft Left Behind

One of the most significant concerns is the fate of the aircraft left behind at Afghan airbases. These included both helicopters and fixed-wing planes, some of which had been provided to the Afghan Air Force to bolster their ability to fight the Taliban. Although U.S. officials claimed that they disabled many of these aircraft, preventing them from being flown, there have been reports suggesting that the Taliban has begun to operate some of them, including Blackhawk helicopters.

Blackhawks are advanced helicopters used for a variety of military purposes, including transport and attack missions. The sight of these helicopters being flown by Taliban forces is unsettling for many, as it raises concerns about the group’s growing military capabilities. An Afghan truck driver tried to fly one these helicopters that were left behind and crashed

Watch the video below:

LOL🚨: Talibàn truck driver tries to Fly Blackhawk helicopter which Americans Left Behind.
🤦🤦 pic.twitter.com/YNQz9hHA6j

— CBT FILES (@Combat_Files) October 21, 2024

Concerns About Technology Falling Into the Wrong Hands

In addition to the immediate concerns about the Taliban using U.S. military equipment, there are long-term fears about other governments gaining access to this technology. Analysts have suggested that countries like China and Russia may seek to reverse-engineer some of the advanced systems left behind. These governments could benefit from studying how U.S. military vehicles and aircraft are built, potentially giving them an advantage in developing their own technology or countermeasures.

Although U.S. officials have downplayed these concerns, stating that much of the equipment was demilitarized or outdated, the presence of advanced military hardware in Afghanistan still poses a risk. The transfer of technology from Afghanistan to other nations would not be unprecedented, and given the geopolitical interests in the region, it is a possibility that cannot be entirely ruled out.