Uzbekistan has transferred seven Black Hawk helicopters to the United States. These helicopters were used by Afghan pilots to evacuate from Afghanistan in August 2021. The news was reported by Voice of America during an event held on January 31 at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington, marking the 33rd anniversary of the country’s Armed Forces.
At the event, officials emphasized that Tashkent and Washington are strategic partners in security and defense. Uzbek Ambassador Furqat Sidikov stated that his country is ready to expand cooperation with the United States in all areas. He highlighted the long-standing exchanges and joint programs between the security and military institutions of both nations.
Sidikov noted that in recent years, the Uzbek Armed Forces have undergone significant reforms and now serve as a guarantor of the country’s independence and stability. He also emphasized that U.S. support—including dialogue with Central Command and other agencies—plays a crucial role in strengthening Uzbekistan’s capabilities.
Acting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Davis Florick underscored that America and Uzbekistan are reliable partners, sharing strong mutual trust and effective communication. He noted that defense discussions take place at a high level and remain substantive. According to Florick, the United States actively collaborates with Uzbekistan not only for bilateral interests but also to enhance security and stability in Central Asia. Rear Admiral Erin Osborne of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon added that the two countries' armed forces have a strong partnership and rely on each other.
Rear Admiral Osborne also stated that the Pentagon views cooperation with the Uzbek Air Force in intelligence matters as an investment in regional peace. She stressed the importance of joint efforts in areas such as military exercises, training, border security, counter-narcotics operations, and intelligence.
ℹ️ In August 2021, during the Taliban’s rapid advance, Afghan pilots evacuated fellow service members and their families to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan using aircraft and helicopters belonging to the Afghan Air Force. These aircraft had originally been supplied to Afghanistan by the United States. According to the Pentagon, 46 aircraft ended up in Uzbekistan, while 18 landed in Tajikistan.
In April 2022, Ismatulla Irgashev, the Uzbek president’s special representative for Afghanistan, announced plans to return the aircraft to the U.S., emphasizing that they had been funded by the American government. “This decision is entirely up to Washington,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Taliban representatives insisted that the helicopters should be returned to Afghanistan as the rightful property of the Afghan people.
In September 2021, reports emerged that the U.S. was negotiating with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to transfer the seized aircraft in exchange for counterterrorism support in Afghanistan. At the January 31 event in Washington, officials noted that the U.S. had left Uzbekistan with dozens of Afghan aircraft and helicopters.
