U.S. and Uzbekistan Reach Agreement on Returning Afghan Military Aircraft

Jonathan Henick, the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, announced that Tashkent and Washington have reached an agreement regarding the military aircraft that were once part of the former Afghan army’s fleet.

“These planes were never owned by Afghanistan; they have always belonged to the United States,” Henick said to Uzbek media. “While the Afghan army used them, their ownership has always remained with the U.S.”

Under the terms of the agreement, 46 planes and helicopters from the former Afghan army will remain in Uzbekistan.

However, the Taliban have contested the agreement, asserting that the aircraft are the property of Afghanistan and should be returned to the country.