Five years after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, remnants of the U.S.-funded military arsenal remain in use by the group, including armored vehicles, weapons, and tactical gear originally supplied to Afghan security forces. The equipment, valued at $7 billion by Pentagon estimates, was seized when the Afghan National Army collapsed during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal.
Taliban displays seized U.S. military assets
On Aug. 15, 2026, Taliban fighters staged a military parade in Kabul featuring American-supplied vehicles, including a Humvee still bearing a faded Green Bay Packers decal—a visible reminder of its prior use. The event marked the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover, with security personnel patrolling in American tactical gear and carrying U.S.-manufactured weapons. The group has also showcased its acquisitions through public demonstrations, including the “Badri 313” elite special forces battalion, which has been documented using the captured equipment.
Political reactions to the withdrawal and equipment loss
Former President Donald Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the 2021 withdrawal, calling it “totally botched” and accusing the U.S. military of abandoning billions in military hardware. Trump has demanded the return of the seized assets, framing the loss as a failure of U.S. policy. The Taliban, however, has publicly displayed the equipment, using it as a symbol of their military strength and defiance.
Ongoing presence of U.S. military gear in Afghanistan
Despite the passage of five years, the Taliban continues to operate American-purchased vehicles and weapons, including armored personnel carriers and small arms. Pentagon figures released in 2025 confirmed that $7 billion worth of hardware and weaponry fell into Taliban hands during the collapse of the Afghan National Army. The equipment’s continued use underscores the long-term impact of the 2021 withdrawal and the challenges of tracking or reclaiming military assets in conflict zones.
Context: The 2021 withdrawal and its aftermath
The U.S. withdrawal in August 2021 marked the end of America’s 20-year military engagement in Afghanistan, initiated in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Taliban’s rapid advance and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government led to the seizure of U.S.-supplied military equipment by Taliban forces. While the U.S. has not publicly confirmed efforts to recover the lost assets, the continued presence of the gear in Taliban operations remains a point of contention in discussions about the withdrawal’s legacy.