Russia and Afghanistan’s Taliban administration have signed a military-technical cooperation agreement, on 29 May 2026, during the 13th International Security Forum near Moscow by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid. The details of the agreement have not been released yet, and officials from both sides have indicated that the immediate priority is repairing and restoring military equipment already in Afghanistan’s possession.
Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said the agreement is primarily aimed at restoring Russian-made and Soviet-era military hardware that remains in Afghanistan. He also said that the deal could create conditions for future defense contracts between Moscow and Kabul, however, “Afghan partners are primarily interested in the repair and restoration of various Russian-made military equipment.”
Russian-made aircraft have long been central to Afghanistan’s military aviation. Following the 2001 U.S.-led intervention, NATO and U.S. forces continued to use Russian Mi-17 transport helicopters in rebuilding the Afghan air force. Officials at the time said Afghan pilots and technicians were already familiar with the platform, and that it was well suited to Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and difficult operating conditions.
Afghanistan still operates a significant amount of Soviet- and Russian-made military equipment acquired over decades of conflict and foreign support. When the former Afghan Republic collapsed in August 2021, the Taliban took control of a large share of the country’s military assets, including helicopters, aircraft, armored vehicles, weapons and ammunition. Many of these systems have since faced maintenance challenges and shortages of spare parts, making repair and technical support a key priority for the current administration.
Through this agreement, systems such as the 9K338 Igla-S MANPADS, along with the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, could gradually be brought back in service. These are Soviet/Russian platforms already present in Afghanistan’s inventory, and their restoration would primarily depend on spare parts availability, technician training, and sustained logistical support from Russia.
Russia’s engagement with the Taliban reflects a broader policy shift over the past two years. Moscow has gradually expanded its contacts with Kabul, and in May 2026, Sergei Shoigu described relations with the Taliban administration as a “full-fledged partnership,” with Moscow saying closer cooperation is needed to address regional security threats in Central and South Asia. Parallel regional developments also shape the strategic context. India’s continued use of Russian-origin systems and operational arrangements involving Russian personnel under RELOS (Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support) reflects Moscow’s expanding defense engagement across South Asia.
If Afghanistan succeeds in restoring its air defense network, Afghanistan’s ability to monitor and respond to aerial attacks would increase, particularly along its eastern and southern borders This could affect border security, especially with Pakistan, where air monitoring, militant movement, and possible retaliation have long been sensitive issues. Future acquisitions may include the S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile system and the Pantsir-S1 air defense system if bilateral defense ties deepen. In which case, Pakistan’s ability to operate freely in Afghan airspace will be severely challenged.
Verification Note: The information in this report has been compiled from multiple credible sources and cross-checked for consistency. Data and reports have been used to corroborate events where possible. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, access limitations may prevent independent verification of all details.
Afiya Ibnath Ayshi is a Security and Strategic Reporting Fellow at Bangladesh Defence Journal. She covers defence, foreign affairs, and humanitarian issues, focusing on how regional and global developments influence Bangladesh’s security and diplomacy. A graduate in English from the University of Dhaka, she brings a research-based and balanced approach to her work.