File image.
Taliban fighters have seized a number of A-29 Super Tucano COIN (Counter-Insurgency) warplanes which were purchased by the US for the Afghan Air Force (AAF).
The warplanes were seized by the Taliban at the military section of Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport. The airport, as well as the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, were captured by the group’s fighters on August 14.
The US purchased a total of 26 A-29 warplanes for the AAF over the last five years. Only 19 were delivered before the Taliban take over.
TB posing with a captured plane at Mazar airport in Balkh. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/62dudFKjH5
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 15, 2021
The A-29 is easy to fly and maintain, and its considered one of the cheapest warplanes to operate. One hour of flight on it costs only $1,000.
The Super Tucano supplied to the AAF were equipped with AN/AAQ-22 Star SAFIRE II day\night observation and targeting electro-optical systems. The warplanes were also armed with GBU-58 Paveway II laser-guided bombs and APKWS laser-guided rockets.
Taliban fighters also captured at least one MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light scout attack helicopter at Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport.
TB seniors Qari Fasihuddin and Mullah Amanuddin at Mazar airport. #Afghanistan #Balkh pic.twitter.com/2Y7Uhaapbf
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 15, 2021
The US supplies more than 60 MD 530F helicopters to the AAF. The helicopter can be armed with FN HMP400 gun pods with FN M3P .50 BMG heavy machine gun or with M260 rocket pods with 7 unguided Hydra 70 rockets.
Over the last few days, the Taliban captured over a dozen helicopters, including Mi-8/17s, UH-60 Black Hawks and MD 530Fs. The group was only able to operate two Mi-8/17 which were left by Afghan government forces in an operational condition in Herat.
Now with Taliban taking over the leadership of Afghanistan, all the equipment supplied by the US to the AAF will end up in the hands of the group. The AAF will become the Taliban’s privet air force.
