Afghanistan Air Force conducts training exercise with Indian helicopters: reports

Several reports have surfaced online about air drills or training exercises carried out by Afghanistan’s Air Force in Kandahar with the help of Indian helicopters.

The Indian news channel Republic World shared a video of some aircraft, claiming that it was released by the Afghan Taliban, who announced that they conducted exercises in the Panjwai district of Kandahar on Friday afternoon.

Locals were advised not to be alarmed or disturbed by the sounds of explosions or gunfire during the exercise.

The Khorasan Diary also reported that the “Kandahar Army Corps announced that its air force will conduct a training bombing exercise.” The Afghan forces reportedly used Indian-made MD helicopters during the drills.

According to Reuters, Afghanistan does not have a fully functional air force and lacks capable aircraft, despite the Taliban administration’s attempts to build their air power.

The country possesses six aircraft from the Soviet era and 23 helicopters, but it is unclear how many of them are operational. The Taliban have also attempted to resurrect these aircraft by repairing older models, but there has been no development indicating that they have proper jets or fighters capable of engaging in air combat.

India recently announced that it will reopen its embassy in Kabul and provide support to upgrade Afghanistan’s medical and trade sectors, while also supplying humanitarian aid.