Billions Worth Of Military Equipment Abandoned In Afghanistan: A Costly Legacy

The US left behind billions of dollars' worth of military equipment in Afghanistan after its withdrawal in August 2021. The equipment, worth approximately $7 billion, was transferred to the Afghan government over a period of 16 years. This included aircraft, vehicles, munitions, weapons, and communication equipment. The Taliban, who now control the country, have access to this equipment, raising concerns about its potential use or proliferation to other militant groups.

The US left behind $7 billion worth of military equipment

The US left behind approximately $7 billion worth of military equipment in Afghanistan following the chaotic withdrawal of US troops in August 2021. This equipment was transferred to the Afghan government over the course of 16 years and included aircraft, vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and communications hardware.

The US military conducted its non-combatant evacuation from Afghanistan through Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, leaving behind 78 aircraft worth $923.3 million. These aircraft were demilitarized and rendered inoperable before the US departure. In addition, 9,524 air-to-ground munitions valued at $6.54 million, more than 40,000 military vehicles (including 12,000 Humvees), and over 300,000 weapons were left behind.

The US also left behind nearly 42,000 pieces of specialized equipment, including night vision, surveillance, biometric, and positioning equipment. This equipment is now in the hands of the Taliban, the very enemy the US sought to drive out over two decades.

The Defense Department has no plans to return to Afghanistan to retrieve or destroy the equipment. While some of it requires specialized maintenance, there are concerns that the Taliban could use the small arms or sell them to American adversaries.

The equipment included aircraft, vehicles, munitions, and more

The US left behind military equipment worth $7 billion in Afghanistan after its withdrawal in August 2021. This included aircraft, vehicles, munitions, and more.

The US had provided $18.6 billion worth of equipment to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) from 2005 to 2021. Of this, equipment worth $7.12 billion remained in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal.

The equipment included:

• 78 aircraft worth $923.3 million
• 40,000 military vehicles, including 12,000 Humvees and 70 MRAPs
• 9,524 air-to-ground munitions worth $6.54 million
• 300,000 weapons, including more than 250,000 automatic rifles and 95 drones
• Nearly 42,000 pieces of night vision, surveillance, biometric, and positioning equipment
• Communication equipment

Much of the equipment was left in a rush to evacuate the Kabul airport safely and was rendered inoperable by US troops before their departure. However, there are concerns that the Taliban could use or sell some of the equipment, particularly small arms and ammunition.

The Taliban now has access to US weapons

The US provided the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) with $18.6 billion worth of equipment from 2005 to 2021. Of this, equipment worth $7.12 billion was left behind in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal. This included aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, military vehicles, weapons, and communication equipment.

The Taliban has been seen parading through Afghan cities in US armoured vehicles and displaying US weapons and equipment as trophies. There is concern that the Taliban could use these weapons to kill civilians or that they could be seized by other militant groups or passed on to American adversaries. There is also a risk that the weapons could end up on the black market and be sold to militias or terrorist groups.

US officials have tried to downplay the significance of the equipment left behind, arguing that much of it was rendered inoperable or demilitarized before the withdrawal. They also claim that the equipment is not state-of-the-art and that the Taliban is unlikely to be able to use or maintain it effectively due to a lack of specialized knowledge and technical support. However, experts warn that even if the Taliban is unable to use the more advanced equipment, they still have access to a large number of small arms, rifles, machine guns, mortars, and ammunition that require little training to use.

The US government is facing criticism for its handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, with lawmakers from both parties expressing concern over the chaotic nature of the exit and the fact that billions of dollars worth of US-supplied equipment was left behind for the Taliban to seize.

The US destroyed some equipment before withdrawal

The US destroyed or "demilitarized" a significant amount of equipment before withdrawing from Afghanistan. This included around 1,300 pieces of equipment at Bagram Air Base alone, with more destroyed before the final departure deadline. The US also destroyed equipment at other bases across the country.

The destruction of equipment was carried out as a security measure to prevent it from falling into the hands of militants. According to Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, the destroyed equipment would be of no use in combat but could be displayed as trophies by the Taliban.

The equipment was destroyed in various ways, including the use of thermate grenades, which burn at temperatures of 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, to destroy key components. Some pieces of equipment were also likely blown up.

The US military left behind a considerable amount of equipment, including aircraft, vehicles, weapons, and ammunition. However, they took steps to render some of this equipment inoperable before departing. For example, as many as 70 MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) were left behind, but they had been "demilitarized" and would never be able to be operated again. Similarly, 73 aircraft were left on the airstrip, but they had also been rendered inoperable, with troops removing critical components.

Overall, the US military's efforts to destroy or "demilitarize" equipment before withdrawing from Afghanistan were aimed at preventing its use by militants and minimizing its value to the Taliban.

The equipment will likely be displayed as trophies by the Taliban

The Taliban's seizure of US military equipment has raised concerns about their potential use to kill civilians or fall into the hands of rival states or militant groups. While some equipment may be displayed as trophies, the Taliban's access to weapons and vehicles grants them significant power.

The Taliban's haul of US military gear includes up to 2,000 armoured vehicles, such as Humvees, and up to 73 aircraft, including helicopters and drones. They have also acquired small arms, rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and night-vision equipment. The exact value of the equipment is uncertain, with estimates ranging from $7 billion to over $80 billion. However, experts believe the true value is likely closer to $10 billion.

The Taliban have been seen parading US armoured vehicles and weapons through Afghan streets, celebrating their victory and attempting to assert dominance over the population. This display of American-made weaponry serves as a powerful symbol of the Taliban's triumph over the US-backed Afghan government.

While some of the more advanced equipment may be challenging for the Taliban to operate and maintain without specialised knowledge, it is still a substantial addition to their arsenal. The small arms, in particular, require little training to use and could be easily passed on to other groups if the Taliban chooses to do so.

The US military did attempt to disable or destroy some equipment before withdrawing. They "demilitarised" vehicles and aircraft, rendering them inoperable, and there were reports of explosions at the airport as equipment was blown up. However, the Taliban were still able to acquire a significant amount of functioning or repairable military equipment.

The display of US military equipment as trophies by the Taliban sends a strong message about their victory over the US-backed Afghan government and their access to powerful weapons. While the full extent of their ability to utilise this equipment is unclear, it undoubtedly grants them increased capabilities and the potential to cause significant harm.

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