Afghanistan’s current rulers, the hard-line Islamist Taliban, often display repaired helicopters and planes from the country’s aging inventory to showcase their perceived military strength. However, despite these efforts, the group is facing significant challenges in its ambition to build a modern Afghanistan Fighter Aircraft fleet and develop a functional air force from the remnants inherited after seizing power. This struggle is highlighted by recent incidents and the expert analysis suggesting their air power is more symbolic than strategically capable.
Recent Challenges and Incidents
The difficulties in operating military aircraft under Taliban rule are underscored by recent accidents. On May 21, two pilots were killed when a U.S.-made MD-530 multi-mission military aircraft crashed in the northern province of Samangan. According to the Taliban, the helicopter was on patrol when it hit an electricity pylon and plunged to the ground.
This incident is the latest in a series of at least five verified military aviation accidents recorded since the Taliban took control in August 2021. All documented crashes have involved helicopters from the previous government’s diverse fleet, comprising mostly U.S.- and Russian-built aircraft. Pilot error is considered the likely cause in these accidents, pointing towards potential issues with training or operational standards.
Expert Perspectives on Capability
According to Amin Tarzi, director of Middle East Studies at the U.S. Marine Corps University and an Afghanistan expert, the Taliban’s air force is not a significant regional concern. “I don’t see the Taliban air force as something to worry about,” he stated. He suggests its role is more symbolic, a way for the group to appear as a more formidable or formal force. Building a truly viable air force, capable of challenging advanced forces or integrating effectively with ground troops, would require extensive pilot training and sophisticated communication strategies, which the Taliban currently lack. The challenges they face acquiring and maintaining capable aircraft, even compared to the [best lightweight fighter aircraft](https://shocknaue.com/best-lightweight-fighter-aircraft/) available globally, underscore this point.
Despite the Taliban’s attempts to showcase their military prowess, Tarzi asserts that “Despite the Taliban propaganda, this air force won’t become a major threat to anyone in the region.” He observes that the group seems to believe possession of an air force inherently makes them a more significant military power.
The Inherited Fleet and Its Fate
In November, Taliban military officials claimed to have repaired some 70 helicopters and military planes. They also stated that an amnesty scheme for former Afghan military pilots and ground crews had attracted more than 40 individuals to return and work for the Taliban’s Defense Ministry.
When the Taliban returned to power, they inherited over 100 aircraft, though most were reportedly inoperable. The preceding Western-backed government’s air force had 162 aircraft just before the collapse in August 2021, with 131 deemed airworthy, according to the U.S. Special Inspector-General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR). As Taliban fighters advanced on Kabul, approximately 25 percent of these aircraft were flown to neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Dozens more were rendered inoperable by departing Western forces, and hundreds of former pilots and ground crew fled the country fearing retribution. The mix of inherited planes included types that might be considered among the [most popular fighter aircraft](https://shocknaue.com/most-popular-fighter-aircraft/) in other regional fleets, highlighting the potential loss of operational capacity.
Taliban fighters inspecting an inherited Afghanistan fighter aircraft, Kabul Airport, August 2021
Tarzi notes that even before the U.S. finalized its withdrawal plans in the 2020 peace agreement with the Taliban, the Afghan Air Force was a fragile institution. He identified critical weaknesses, including overreliance on Western support, a lack of discipline, and an inability to operate independently. “The idea that the Afghan Air Force was intact and operational was erroneous,” he said.
Afghan Air Force helicopter displaying Taliban flag during victory celebration
Historical Context of Afghan Air Power
Afghanistan’s military aviation history traces back to the 1960s under King Zahir Shah, initially equipped with Soviet aircraft. During the Soviet occupation in the 1980s, the socialist government built a substantial air force with hundreds of jets, cargo planes, and helicopters. However, this force fragmented into units controlled by various warlords after the Soviet withdrawal. Even during the Taliban’s first period in power in the 1990s, they possessed some jets and helicopters operated by defecting personnel. Understanding this historical trajectory, comparing different periods, including discussions around generations like the [rafale fighter jet generation](https://shocknaue.com/rafale-fighter-jet-generation/), is crucial for assessing the current state.
Current Inventory and Operational Status
Lukas Muller, author of “Wings Over The Hindu Kush” (documenting the Afghan air force history from 1989-2001), provides insight into the current composition. He notes that while the Taliban are attempting to train new pilots, the bulk of their personnel consists of pilots and technicians trained by the United States and its allies, and some even from the Soviet era. The limited numbers of qualified staff suggest a significant shortage. The Taliban has not released figures on its current number of pilots and technicians.
Based on visual evidence, Muller estimates the Taliban currently possess approximately 50 operational planes and helicopters. “They consider their air force a crucial part of their military strength and openly boast about their accomplishments in repairing additional aircraft,” he added. While this represents some functional capacity, it pales in comparison to the capabilities and numbers seen in modern air forces, let alone the [top 10 5th generation fighter aircraft](https://shocknaue.com/top-10-5th-generation-fighter-aircraft/) shaping global air power.
The current inventory of Afghanistan Fighter Aircraft and other military planes under Taliban control includes various types. The Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopter is the most commonly used. They also operate a small number of airworthy U.S.-made Black Hawk helicopters and MD-530 multi-mission aircraft. The U.S.-provided A-29 attack fighters, a turboprop plane designed for close air support and training, are also believed to be serviceable. For transport, the Taliban utilize Russian Antonov planes and U.S. C-208 and AC-208 cargo aircraft. While types like the MD-530 and A-29 fall into categories that include the [best light fighter aircraft](https://shocknaue.com/best-light-fighter-aircraft/) globally, their operational status and strategic deployment by the Taliban remain limited primarily to transport.
Lack of Verified Combat Deployment
Muller points out that while the Taliban has used its planes and helicopters for transporting troops, military and humanitarian cargo, and regime officials, the actual deployment of combat aircraft remains unverified. He notes that the Taliban has not verifiably used its combat helicopters, such as the MD-530s or Russian-made Mi-35s, to actively engage opposition forces in areas like the northern province of Panjshir, a known center of anti-Taliban resistance.
In essence, as Muller concludes, “the Taliban’s air force has yet to prove itself in combat.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Taliban government actively seeks to portray an image of military strength through displays of repaired afghanistan fighter aircraft and helicopters, the reality of establishing a modern, functional air force remains a distant goal. Limited numbers of operational aircraft, a significant shortage of qualified personnel, and a lack of verified combat deployment capabilities mean that the Taliban’s air power is, for now, largely symbolic and insufficient to serve as a formidable strategic force. The challenges of maintaining complex military aviation assets without robust technical support and training infrastructure continue to hinder their ambition.
References
- AA.com.tr (Anadolu Agency)
- Lukas Muller, Wings Over The Hindu Kush
- Oryxspioenkop.com
- U.S. Special Inspector-General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR)
