Black Hawk diplomacy: U.S. recovers helicopters from Uzbekistan
The United States has managed to recover seven UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters that Afghan army pilots used to flee the Taliban in 2021. This is just a part of the large stockpile of equipment that Donald Trump has pledged to diplomatically fight to recover.
At a rally in Washington on the eve of his inauguration, Donald Trump conditioned further financial aid to Afghanistan on the return of American military equipment abandoned in 2021 by Afghan and American forces, now in the hands of the Taliban. The Taliban quickly responded, stating they do not intend to return the American equipment. Despite this stance, the United States has managed to recover several UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. How did this come about?
The United States retrieved seven Black Hawk helicopters from Afghanistan
In this instance, the task was significantly simplified because it involved seven UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, which Afghan army pilots evacuated to neighbouring Uzbekistan. The authorities in Tashkent cooperated with the United States and positively responded to the request to return the equipment, deciding to take this step even though Kabul demanded the helicopters be sent back to Afghanistan.
"We have recovered these seven helicopters," confirmed a source at the U.S. embassy in Tashkent to AFP. Previously, Voice of America reported on the transfer of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Uzbekistan to the United States, citing sources in the Pentagon.
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a multi-purpose transport and infantry-support helicopter that can reach speeds of nearly 300 km/h and operate at altitudes of up to about 6,100 metres. Besides the crew, it can accommodate up to 11 soldiers with full equipment (or 20 people without gear).
A high stakes game - equipment worth up to $7 (CAD 10) billion
According to experts from the think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), citing satellite images, over 45 American helicopters and planes (that served at that time in the Afghan army) were evacuated to Uzbekistan in 2021. Their technical condition is unclear, but these machines may be considered by the United States for return (some Mi-17 helicopters have already been taken and handed over to Ukraine).
The situation differs with the equipment that remained in Afghanistan and is now under Taliban control, who consider it their own. A report issued in 2022 by the U.S. Department of Defense indicated that American forces withdrawing from Afghanistan left military equipment worth up to approximately $7 (CAD 10) billion in the country.
Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Joe Biden's administration for the manner in which Americans left Afghanistan, stating that many mistakes were made and the actions were very chaotic.
