In June 2025, local and international media reported that Taliban forces had successfully restored and put into operation several UH-60A Black Hawk utility helicopters that had been rendered inoperable by U.S. forces prior to their withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. According to images shared on social media and Afghan sources, at least one UH-60A was seen flying, marking a milestone in the Taliban administration’s efforts to rebuild basic air capabilities.
During the U.S. troop withdrawal, American forces and the former Afghan security forces disabled much of the sensitive military equipment, including helicopters, vehicles, and weapons systems. In the case of the UH-60A Black Hawks delivered to the now-defunct Afghan Air Force under U.S. assistance programs, many were rendered inoperable by removing key components such as avionics, rotors, or engines.
However, Taliban sources have indicated that Afghan technicians and personnel with experience in aircraft maintenance have been working since 2022 to restore some of these helicopters. Tasks included refurbishing structural components, installing basic navigation systems, and, in some cases, acquiring spare parts through unofficial channels or suppliers in neighboring countries.
The UH-60A Black Hawk is an early variant of the famous American utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky. With the capacity to transport up to 11 fully equipped soldiers and a cruising speed of approximately 280 km/h, the Black Hawks were transferred to Afghanistan as part of the reconstruction program for its Armed Forces, particularly under the U.S.-implemented Afghan Air Force Modernization Plan.
Of the more than 150 helicopters that made up the previous Afghan Air Force’s inventory, it is estimated that at least 40 were UH-60As. Following the fall of Kabul and the collapse of the Western-backed government, many of these helicopters were left at bases such as Kandahar, Herat, and Kabul in varying operational conditions.
In recent years, the Taliban has sought to rebuild a basic defense structure, including a limited air capability focused mainly on transport, reconnaissance, and patrol missions. Alongside the Black Hawks, there have also been reports of efforts to reactivate C-208 Caravan aircraft and Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, which were part of the inherited fleet.
One of the main challenges the Taliban faces in sustaining these platforms is limited access to spare parts and technical support. Most of the equipment, especially Western-made systems, requires specialized maintenance and parts that are difficult to obtain under international sanctions and trade restrictions.
Despite these limitations, the flight of a UH-60A restored through local means represents a significant symbolic and technical achievement. It also raises questions about the potential use of these aircraft by a regime not officially recognized by much of the international community.
So far, it remains unconfirmed how many Black Hawk helicopters are fully operational or whether the Taliban has fully trained crews capable of operating them safely. The published footage shows short, low-altitude flights, possibly in areas controlled by the regime for testing or demonstration purposes.
The development of this capability comes in parallel with earlier reports indicating that the Taliban had requested technical assistance from countries such as Pakistan or Iran to maintain their military assets, although these reports have not been officially confirmed.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes only
