Taliban Wants To Build Afghanistan’s Air Defenses With Russia’s Help

[东风夜放花千树]

I believe this matter is impossible to happen. I offer a few reasons for everyone’s reference.

1. On September 25, 2025, Article 5 of the "Four-Country Joint Statement" by China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran urged the Afghan authorities to take more visible, substantial, and accountable measures to fulfill Afghanistan's international anti-terrorism obligations and commitments, dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations within the country, and prevent terrorist organizations from recruiting, fundraising, acquiring weapons and equipment, as well as colluding with external terrorist forces.

Russia supplying air defense systems to Afghanistan may allow terrorists to obtain weapons. This action violates the "Four-Country Joint Statement."

2. Russia is currently in conflict, and every day Russian soldiers and civilians lose their lives due to insufficient air defense systems. I don't believe Russia has enough air defense systems to supply to Afghanistan.

3. Russia needs funds, Afghanistan cannot afford the cost, and India will not pay huge bills. If India purchases air defense systems, India would prefer these systems to be deployed in India.

4. Doing this would offend China and Pakistan. If Russia were to obtain rare earths, these rare earths would need to be transported to China for refining and processing. I don’t see what benefit Russia could gain by doing this.

 

[RealNapster]

With what money? MANPADs aren't a threat to PAF, and anything bigger comes at a steep price of billions of dollars. The Afghan government budget was roughly $3 billion last year, and it has shrunk due to trade sanctions from Pakistan.

Well, i also dont think this is something that is going to happen. BUT, my reasoning are not same as yours.

1. They can pay with opium, or manpower for the Ukraine war. And in return get these weapons.

2. Manpads are not an issue for PAF manned assets but it may be problematic for our drone warfare. Keep in mind majority of drone attacks we were conducting in Afghanistan is through quadcopters carrying mortar shells. They dont fly very high are are easily in manpad range. Similarly other attack drones as well. Majority fly not that high when on attack missions.

All I am saying is , yes it will be a genuine concern for us. But, chance of them getting even s200 and manpads from Russia is very low. Russia is not able to help even iran militarily or through equipments because it needs them. Why will they or how will they have enough overstock to give to Afghanistan?

 

[hasssanali8998]

Should have thought about that before bombing Kabul

 

[Watandar]

View attachment 199622

I say your meme game is getting strong!

 

[NA71]

So if Pakistan, inevitably, has to bomb Afghanistan again. Russian crewed AD will be used against our air force?

If so, how does Pakistan plans to respond?

If these systems are to be taken out, it would obvious harm the Russian crew on it.

Ask the same question to those who were supporting Talibans for decades in search of strategic depth.

 

[Goenitz]

I don’t see what benefit Russia could gain by doing this

I heard they need afghans as foot soldiers?

 

[RescueRanger]

I heard they need afghans as foot soldiers?

Russsia's experiment with foreign conscripts has largely failed with the sole exception of North Koreans in Kursk.

 

[Goenitz]

Russsia's experiment with foreign conscripts has largely failed with the sole exception of North Koreans in Kursk.

now think of the converse.. if Taliban mercenaries cannot fight well, what would they do with manpads in their hands! as someone pointed out in the comments here, "Good luck with the civilian air traffic over Afg.."

I am more worried about FPVs. These fighters would get firsthand experience of the modern warfare. When they come back, TTP etc will be more lethal.

 

[I*R*A]

I heard they need afghans as foot soldiers?

Bagram airbase and stuff left behind.

Russia may send technicians to somehow upgrade the old Soviet stuff left behind in Afghanistan.

 

[I*R*A]

now think of the converse.. if Taliban mercenaries cannot fight well, what would they do with manpads in their hands! as someone pointed out in the comments here, "Good luck with the civilian air traffic over Afg.."

I am more worried about FPVs. These fighters would get firsthand experience of the modern warfare. When they come back, TTP etc will be more lethal.

Afghans have used Stinger missiles in the past. I won't undermine their learning capabilities in operating weapons. All they have seen is war.

 

[hasssanali8998]

I am more worried about FPVs.

already happening not fpv but quadcopter attacks are happeinig a lot in kpk
mostly against civilians

 

[RescueRanger]

now think of the converse.. if Taliban mercenaries cannot fight well, what would they do with manpads in their hands! as someone pointed out in the comments here, "Good luck with the civilian air traffic over Afg.."

I am more worried about FPVs. These fighters would get firsthand experience of the modern warfare. When they come back, TTP etc will be more lethal.

Talis already experimenting with FPVs. This article is largely a nothing burger. Russia needs China so any move inside Afghanistan that upsets the Chinese apple cart will not go down to well in Beijing.

 

[hasssanali8998]

Bagram airbase and stuff left behind.

naah
china wont like russian snooping in its backyard

 

[Goenitz]

already happening not fpv but quadcopter attacks are happeinig a lot in kpk
mostly against civilians

i know. in fact, i argued with Panzerkiel about why we didn't use drones for surveillance (after some attack). I was thinking that TTP would bring drones in the theatre before us, and they did.

Post in thread 'Terrorists using drones in their attacks now'

Dec 18, 2023

learnings from Afghanistan and Middle East war are being incorporated into militancy / insurgency in Balochistan. Inspeak from the perspective of hostile elements and not Military. They learned, they evolve, this should not come as surprise to anyone. If any, we need to evolve our tactics aswell , the only difference is we need to evolve at faster pace then them

@Panzerkiel
bhai.. hum sa pahly, yahi use kar rahy hain... aesa na ho k MRAP bhi pahly la aaen.. (i know we have used on some occasion)..

• Goenitz

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[hasssanali8998]

"Good luck with the civilian air traffic over Afg.."

Yep, a bit nuance though. they will most likely get MANPADS ( i actually want them get proper AD system becasue that is way easier to find and destroy than MANPADS)
No , air traffic is safe as jets fly too high for them to be affected by MANPADS, and the same goes for PAF jets .

The biggest danger is the TTP/BLA (which will happen) getting these, which will make airports in Balochistan and KPK dangerous for civilian traffic (when they are landing and taking off), and even PAA helicopters and VIP transport will be in crosshairs.