Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The United States has retrieved some of the Black Hawk helicopters that Afghan pilots flew to Uzbekistan in August 2021 during the Taliban’s offensive.

According to media reports, out of the 46 aircraft (22 planes and 24 helicopters) that ended up in Uzbekistan, the majority were handed over to the republic. However, seven Black Hawk helicopters deemed operational by the Pentagon were returned to the U.S.

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Davis Florick expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for its long-standing military-technical cooperation. He highlighted Tashkent’s key role in supporting international missions in Afghanistan, evacuating refugees, and organizing humanitarian convoys.

Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. and Canada, Furkat Sidikov, stated that Tashkent is open to further expanding cooperation with Washington, emphasizing the importance of security and defense collaboration between the two nations.

In August 2021, as the Taliban took power, over 500 Afghan military personnel evacuated to Uzbekistan using U.S.-supplied aircraft. The return of some helicopters marks another step in strengthening U.S.-Uzbekistan partnership.