logo
Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

Do Taliban fighters now possess US military equipment worth more than $80 billion?

By Ali Swenson
NO

The Taliban have seized significant U.S.-supplied firepower in their takeover of Afghanistan, recovering guns, ammunition, helicopters and other equipment from Afghan forces.

But the gear isn’t worth the $80 billion or more that social media users and political figures claim.

The U.S. spent $83 billion to develop and sustain Afghan security forces since 2001, but that also includes troop pay, training, operations, infrastructure and transportation, according to reports from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

Only about $18 billion went toward equipping Afghan forces between 2002 and 2018, a 2019 SIGAR report showed.

Furthermore, the Taliban cannot access every piece of American equipment supplied to Afghanistan. American troops have previously scrapped gear and recently disabled Humvees and aircraft so they couldn't be used again, according to Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command.  

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business.
FACT BRIEF BY
facebook
twitter
email
email