An attack helicopter that was given as a present to the Afghan Air Force by India in 2019, as part of capacity-building efforts, has been seized by the Taliban. Videos and pictures of hostility by Taliban militia surfaced from the Kunduz Airbase earlier this week.
The Mi 24 V attack helicopter seemed to have been abandoned by Afghan forces and is no longer in working condition. The chopper seemed to have been stripped of all its key parts like the engine and rotor blades, with sources indicating that it was being disassembled for spare parts to keep the remaining force operational.
India had presented four Mi-24 V attack choppers and three Cheetah Light Utility Helicopters to the Afghan Air Force. The Mi-24 V attack helicopter was given under a contract between Afghanistan and Belarus, which was financed by India.
