Left Behind: The Abandoned Humvees Of Afghanistan

The Taliban in Afghanistan has acquired an extensive fleet of Humvees, estimated to be around 17,000 vehicles, through various means such as seizures from Afghan security forces and transfers from the US military during its withdrawal in 2021. With a mix of older and newer models, these armoured trucks have become symbols of the Taliban's authority and a source of intimidation for the local population. The acquisition of such a large number of Humvees, along with other US-made military equipment, has raised concerns about their potential use against civilians or the possibility of them falling into the hands of rival groups or adversarial nations.

The US transferred Humvees to the Afghan National Army

The US transferred a significant number of Humvees to the Afghan National Army as part of its military support for Afghanistan. The transfer of Humvees was part of a broader effort to equip and strengthen the Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

Beginning in 2001, the US provided several hundred Humvees to the emerging Afghan armed forces, with the numbers increasing as more NATO troops were deployed to the country. From 2008 onwards, between 5,000 and 6,000 Humvees were sent to Afghanistan. In 2011, an additional 7,100 Humvees were ordered, followed by 1,673 in 2016. As the US planned its withdrawal from Afghanistan, additional transfers were made, with 1,383 Humvees transferred to Afghan security forces, and 403 handed over in March 2021.

In total, it is estimated that the US transferred up to 17,000 Humvees to Afghanistan, with some sources placing the number at around 25,000. However, it is unclear how many of these vehicles remained operational, as the Afghan forces faced significant challenges in maintaining and utilising the Humvees effectively.

The transfer of Humvees was intended to enhance the mobility and firepower of the Afghan security forces. The M1151 and M1152 variants of the Humvee, which feature enhanced armour protection and more powerful engines, were commonly used by the Afghan National Army. These vehicles provided a level of protection against gunfire and served as a symbol of government authority.

However, the Humvees had limited effectiveness in deterring terrorism and were vulnerable to IED attacks. During periods of intensified fighting, the Afghan government often lost up to 100 Humvees per week. Many of these vehicles were captured by the Taliban, who utilised them for infiltration, suicide bombings, and as symbols of their power.

The US provided a range of other military equipment and weapons to Afghanistan, including aircraft, munitions, armoured vehicles, weapons systems, and intelligence equipment. The total value of the equipment provided by the US to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) from 2005 to 2021 was estimated to be $18.6 billion.

The Taliban now has control of US Humvees

The Taliban now has control of thousands of US Humvees, which form the foundation of its motor pool. The US has supplied thousands of Humvees to the Afghan National Army (ANA) and other security branches over two decades.

Beginning in 2001, at least several hundred Humvees were passed to the emerging armed forces being established with NATO's assistance. From 2008 onwards, as fresh NATO troops flooded into the country, a broad effort was underway to equip local troops, and between 5,000 and 6,000 Humvees were sent to Afghanistan. In 2011, an additional 7,100 Humvees were ordered, followed by 1,673 in 2016. As the US scheduled its ultimate withdrawal from 2020 onwards, a further 1,383 Humvees were transferred to the Afghan security forces, and in March the following year, 403 more were handed over.

Up to 17,000 Humvees in various levels of operability could have been left in Afghanistan. The most common variants seen in Afghanistan today are the M1151 and M1152, which feature armour around their cabs and modular semi-enclosed turrets. When used as protected transport, the six-ton M1152 Humvees are reduced to a single cab and have open-top rear compartments, also known as armoured troop enclosures, with at least two mounts for machine guns.

The Taliban uses Humvees as roving symbols of government authority, much like their former opponents. However, there is little evidence that these armoured trucks are sufficient at deterring terrorism. Afghanistan now boasts a sizable army equipped with US-made aircraft and vehicles.

The Taliban's vehicular fleet is not just made up of Humvees, however. According to a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), up to 600,000 small arms and 80,000 vehicles were delivered to local security forces over two decades. The US military itself transferred 17,000 Humvees from 2006 until 2021. The remainder are either MRAPs such as the Navistar MaxxPro, or leftover Lenco BearCats and Oshkosh M-ATVs abandoned by US forces.

The Taliban's air force is equally impressive. In 2021, they acquired a lot of functional Russian-made Mi-8/Mi-17 medium helicopters and a dozen Mi-24 gunships. Added to this are smaller MD-530F gunships and dozens of UH-60 transports paid for by the US.

The Taliban's vast arsenal has raised concerns that the weapons could be used to kill civilians, be seized by other militant groups, or be handed over to adversaries such as China and Russia. There is also a worry that the Taliban could use the Humvees and other vehicles to intimidate the population.

Humvees are vulnerable to IED attacks

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been the number one killer of US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. IEDs have been responsible for more than 3,000 US troop deaths and 33,000 injuries.

The Humvee, despite all the extra armoring added by the Pentagon, remains a vulnerable vehicle. Its flat bottom channels an explosion through the centre of the vehicle, towards the occupants. The fuel tank is the weakest link of the Humvee, and insurgents are aware of that. They have reportedly been adding accelerants to the top of IEDs to increase the chances of fire.

In 2009, Sgt. Dan Thornhill was on patrol in a Humvee in Afghanistan when his vehicle was hit by a car bomber carrying an IED. The explosion ruptured the Humvee's fuel tanks, engulfing the vehicle in flames. Thornhill suffered severe burns and lost both legs.

In 2008, a Fox News crew was in a convoy that was hit by an IED. The Humvee containing cameraman Chris Jackson was rocked by the explosion, the fuel tanks ruptured and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Jackson returned to the burning vehicle to save one of the injured soldiers who had been unable to get out.

In 2005, two US senators wrote a letter to the Defense Secretary, stating that the delays in supplying MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) had cost the lives of an estimated "621 to 742 Americans" who would have survived explosions had they been in MRAPs rather than Humvees.

In 2004, Lt. Col. Dallas Eubanks, chief of operations for the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said IEDs had become more menacing: "We were certainly seeing underground IEDs by early 2004".

In 2005, two top Marines, Gen. William Nyland, assistant Marine Commandant, and Maj. Gen. William Catto, head of Marine Corps Systems Command, testified before Congress that they were seeing an "evolving" threat from underbelly blasts.

In 2007, the Pentagon finally made MRAPs the military's top priority. The plan was to build the vehicles as fast as possible.

In 2021, the Taliban swept across Afghanistan and seized control of the country, along with any weapons and equipment left behind by fleeing Afghan forces. This included US-made Humvees, which the Taliban now use much the same way as their former opponents, as roving symbols of government authority. However, there is little evidence that these armoured trucks are sufficient at deterring terrorism.

Humvees can be used as carriers for heavy weapons

The Taliban's Humvee fleet is a force to be reckoned with. The group has access to thousands of Humvees, which form the foundation of their motor pool. These vehicles are distinct as they offer a modicum of ballistic protection and have large-calibre weapons mounted on their roofs.

The Humvee, or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, is a highly versatile and customisable light military vehicle. It can be used as a weapons carrier, with several weapon options available. The most common choice is the M2 Browning .50 Calibre machine gun, but it can also be fitted with a 1.6-inch grenade high-volume weapon, TOW anti-armour missile, or even tow a Howitzer. The Humvee's roof-mounted weapon can also be remotely operated from inside the vehicle.

The Humvee's versatility extends beyond its use as a weapons carrier. It can serve as an open-topped scout vehicle, armoured personnel carrier, ambulance, TOW missile launcher, communication centre, or heavy offensive platform. Its customisability means it can be adapted to suit the needs of the situation.

The Humvee's high ground clearance, independent suspension, and large tyres make it highly mobile, even in rough terrain. It can climb slopes of up to 60% and has a top speed of 70 miles per hour. Its four-wheel-drive and all-wheel disc brakes provide excellent traction and stopping power.

The Humvee's spacious interior can accommodate a driver, commander, and four infantry. It has a large rear storage area that can fit four additional personnel or be used for cargo. The Humvee's modular design allows for easy reconfiguration, making it a versatile tool for military operations.

While the Humvee has been replaced in some combat roles by the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, it remains a valuable asset for the military. Its ability to carry heavy weapons and adapt to different situations makes it a formidable force multiplier in the hands of the Taliban.

The US has no plans to retrieve or destroy equipment left in Afghanistan

The US has left behind military equipment worth $7 billion in Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon report. This includes aircraft, air-to-ground munitions, military vehicles, weapons, and other materials. The US has no plans to retrieve or destroy this equipment, which is now in the hands of the Taliban.

The US provided a total of $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 in August 2021. This included:

• Aircraft worth $923.3 million, including 78 aircraft left at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. These aircraft were demilitarized and rendered inoperable before the US departure.
• 9,524 air-to-ground munitions, valued at $6.54 million.
• Over 40,000 military vehicles, including 12,000 Humvees. The operational condition of these vehicles is unknown.
• More than 300,000 weapons.
• Nearly all communications equipment, including radio systems and encryption devices.
• Nearly all night vision, surveillance, biometric and positioning equipment, totaling 42,000 pieces.
• Nearly all explosive ordinance disposal and demining equipment, including 17,500 pieces of equipment.

In addition to the equipment left behind, the US also "demilitarized" or destroyed some equipment during the withdrawal. General Kenneth McKenzie, head of US Central Command, stated that the US destroyed up to 70 MRAPs, 27 Humvees, and 73 aircraft at Hamid Karzai International Airport. He emphasized that this equipment would never be operable again.

The US decision to leave equipment in Afghanistan has been heavily criticized, with concerns raised about the potential use of this equipment by the Taliban and other militant groups. There are also worries about the symbolic value of this equipment as trophies of the Taliban's victory. However, military experts have stated that much of the equipment will likely become unusable due to a lack of proper maintenance and the challenge of acquiring spare parts.

The Taliban now have access to a significant amount of US-made military equipment, including Humvees, armored vehicles, and weapons. The full extent of their operational capability with this equipment is unclear, but it has raised concerns about regional security and the potential for these weapons to fall into the hands of other militant groups.

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