The Afghan Defense Ministry conveyed over the weekend that two pilots lost their lives when a MD-530 helicopter that was made by the US military crashed in the northern region of Afghanistan. According to the ministry, the helicopter was in transit from Mazar-e-Sharif airfield to Samangan when it crushed into a power pylon.
The Taliban, which recently came to power in the country, had received some helicopters from former Afghan government forces before taking control. There were also instances where old US military helicopters were repaired by the Taliban. These helicopters are believed to be flown by pilots from the former government forces.
During a military parade on August 31st of last year, the Taliban showcased a range of equipment, including aircraft that has reportedly been restored.
Earlier in September, a Black Hawk helicopter that was seized by the Taliban during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan also crashed during a training session in Kabul, killing three crew members, two of whom were pilots.
It is pertinent to mention that the US military left behind a considerable amount of equipment when it left the country in 2021, which included aircraft, vehicles, and weapons－a lot of which was rendered inoperable by the military.
This kind of occurrence brings to the fore the importance of ensuring that sensitive military hardware does not fall into the wrong hands. Such incidents could create security challenges not only for the country but also for the region as a whole.
In conclusion, the latest crash once again highlights the fragile security situation in the country and the importance of ensuring the careful handling and management of high-tech equipment.
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