Afghanistan Revives Fighter Jet and Soviet-Era Air Defenses, Growing Threat for Pakistan

In a surprising development that has stirred regional military watchers, Afghanistan has successfully repaired a fighter jet and made it flight-worthy again, marking a symbolic yet significant milestone in the Taliban-led regime’s effort to rebuild its once-dismantled air capability. The repaired aircraft, reportedly armed with air-to-air missiles, took to the skies recently, signaling Kabul’s determination to restore an operational air fleet amid growing tensions along the Pakistan border.

This comes just days after Afghan forces deployed two fully functional Soviet-era ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns following extensive repairs. The ZU-23, a twin-barrel 23mm autocannon, is a Cold War-era weapon designed for short-range air defense. While basic in nature, it remains deadly effective against low-flying aircraft, drones, and helicopters — assets frequently used by Pakistan in its border operations.

Pakistan Points Fingers at India

The developments have not gone unnoticed in Islamabad. Several Pakistani media outlets have accused India of covertly providing technical assistance to Afghanistan in restoring both the ZU-23 guns and the recently revived fighter jet. According to reports aired by Pakistani television channels, “Indian technicians” allegedly guided Afghan engineers remotely in the repair process, though no official evidence has been presented to support the claims.

Analysts believe these accusations reflect Islamabad’s growing unease over Kabul’s emerging military assertiveness, particularly after repeated border clashes between Pakistani troops and Afghan forces in recent months. Pakistan has often accused the Taliban of harboring the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for attacks inside Pakistan — a charge Kabul denies.

Rebuilding a Crippled Air Force

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, much of the Afghan Air Force’s fleet was left inoperable. Many aircraft were flown to neighboring countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan by fleeing Afghan pilots. What remained was a mix of damaged helicopters, grounded jets, and abandoned Soviet-era systems.

However, in the past year, Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry has quietly initiated repair programs, using salvaged parts and local technical expertise. The successful restoration of both ground-based air defense and a fighter jet indicates a gradual rebuilding of military capability, though far from the scale of modern regional powers.

Military experts suggest the aircraft restored could be a Aero L-39C Albatros or MiG-21 or Su-22, both of which were part of Afghanistan’s Soviet-supplied fleet during the 1980s. These jets, though outdated, can still be formidable when paired with basic missile systems or used in reconnaissance roles.

Strategic Implications

The revived aircraft and ZU-23 guns, while limited in number, carry symbolic weight. They signal Afghanistan’s desire to operate independently and deter any external threats — particularly from Pakistan, whose airstrikes in Afghan border provinces have drawn sharp protests from Kabul.

For Pakistan, even a modest Afghan air revival presents a new variable in its western security calculus. A handful of operational aircraft and air-defense systems, especially if positioned near volatile border areas like Kunar or Nangarhar, could restrict Pakistan’s freedom of operation.

Despite the political noise, defense observers caution that Afghanistan’s re-emerging air power remains rudimentary and largely symbolic. Without a supply chain for spares, trained pilots, or modern radar systems, the country’s ability to sustain these assets remains questionable.

Yet, the broader message is unmistakable — Afghanistan is attempting to stand on its own militarily, drawing from its Soviet-era inventory and indigenous repair efforts. Whether aided by foreign technicians or not, this self-reliance reflects a slow but determined move toward sovereignty in defense affairs.

For Pakistan, this could mean more than just rhetoric. It could mark the beginning of a militarily resurgent Afghanistan, one increasingly capable of defending its skies — and perhaps, in time, projecting limited power beyond them.