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Category: Asia and Pacific

  • List of aviation accidents and incidents in the War in Afghanistan

    List of aviation accidents and incidents in the War in Afghanistan

    The following is a list aviation accidents and incidents in the War in Afghanistan. It covers both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

    Contents

    • 1 2012
    • 2 2011
    • 3 2010
    • 4 2009
    • 5 2008
    • 6 2007
    • 7 2006
    • 8 2005
    • 9 2004
    • 10 2003
    • 11 2002
    • 12 2001
    • 13 Contract aircraft, non-military aircraft losses
    • 14 Summary per type
    • 15 Comparisions
      • 15.1 Mi-24 and variants

    2012

    • March 16: A Turkish Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Kabul, killing all 12 Turkish soldiers on board and 2 civilians on the ground.[1] It was the deadliest single incident for Turkish forces since the start of the war in Afghanistan in 2001.
    • February 6: an ISAF helicopter crashed with no casualties.[2]
    • USAF Roundel January 19: A US CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan. 6 ISAF officers died.[3]

    2011

    • USAF Roundel September 28: A US AH-1W helicopter crashed on take-off in Helmand province killing one Marine.[4][5]
    • August 8: A NATO CH-47 helicopter hard landed in Paktia province. No casualties were reported.[6]
    • USAF Roundel August 6: A NATO CH-47 Chinook helicopter being flown by the 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment[7][8][9] was shot down by the Taliban using an RPG with 30 American and eight Afghan casualties,[10] as well as a dog. It was the deadliest single incident for American forces since the start of the war in Afghanistan in 2001, surpassing the downing of a Chinook on June 28, 2005 in Kunar province.[11] A reported 22 from the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team Six) died.[11]
    • USAF Roundel July 25: A CH-47F Chinook was shot down by an RPG near Camp Nangalam in Kunar Province. Two coalition service members were injured.[12][13]
    • July 7: A NATO helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan, no victims were reported[14]
    • June 24: A NATO helicopter made a hard landing in Helmand.[15]

    An M88 Recovery Vehicle hoists the body of a downed French Mirage 2000D aircraft of Nancy – Ochey Air Base during a recovery mission May 27, 2011 in the Bakwa district of Regional Command West in Afghanistan.

    • Afghan National Army emblem.png June 15: An Afghan army Mil Mi-17 crashed in the Kunar province injuring six.[16]
    • PAF Checkerboard June 12: A Polish Land Forces Mil Mi-24V was severely damaged at the Warrior base in Ghazni province. Helicopter written off.[17]
    • French-roundel June 10: French Army Gazelle Viviane crashed about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Bagram in the north of the country in difficult weather conditions. One person died, the pilot was seriously injured.[18]
    • USAF Roundel June 5: A US Bell OH-58 Kiowa helicopter crashed in the Sabari district of the eastern province of Khost, the coalition said, with the Taliban claiming to have shot the aircraft down. Two service members were killed.[19][20]
    • Royal Australian Air Force roundel.png May 30: An Australian Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter crashed in Zabul Province 90 km east of Tarin Kowt. The Chinook caught fire after impact, and one of the passengers on board the aircraft later died from injuries sustained in the crash. Five other Australians on board the chopper suffered minor injuries.[21]
    • USAF Roundel May 26: A US Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in Paktika Province. One crew member killed in the incident.[22]
    • May 24: NATO chopper crashes in western Afghanistan, no victims were reported.[23]
    • French-roundel May 24: French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000D crashed 100 kilometers west of Farah. Both crew members successfully ejected and were rescued.[24]
    • May 15: A Canadian CH-47D Chinook turned on its side as it landed. Four Canadian soldiers were injured during a “hard landing” on a river bed in Afghanistan. The accident occurred during night operations by the Quebec-based Royal 22e Régiment in the Horn of Panjwaii.[25][26]
    • Afghan National Army emblem.png May 11 : An Afghan army Mi-17 crashed in the Nuristan province after hitting a tree, injuring nine soldiers.[27]
    • USAF Roundel April 23: A US OH-58 Kiowa helicopter went down after apparently hitting a cable between two mountains in Kapisa province, northeast of the capital Kabul. One crew member was killed.[28]
    • French-roundel February 5 a French Army Eurocopter Tiger crashed in Afghanistan’s eastern district of Lateh Band near the capital Kabul.[29][30]
    • PAF Checkerboard January 26: A Polish Land Forces Mil Mi-24V rolled over on its side after experiencing mechanical trouble during takeoff from a military base in Ghazni district of Ghazni province.[31]

    2010

    • French-roundel November 28: French Navy Dassault Rafale fighter crashed off Pakistan after its pilot parachuted to safety. The Rafale was operating from the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which at the time was supporting NATO operations in Afghanistan.[32]
    • French-roundel November 3: French Army Gazelle Viviane crashed in Nijrab province. Both pilots escaped unhurt.[33]
    • USAF Roundel September 21: A US Army UH-60 Blackhawk crashed in Zabul province, killing 9 soldiers on board.[34][35][36]
    • August 19: Eight service members belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were injured on Thursday when their helicopter made a hard landing in southern Afghanistan, officials said.[37]
    • RAF Roundel August 10: A British RAF CH-47D Chinook crashed in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan . “The helicopter due to technical problems crashed in Gereshk district at 04:00 a.m. local time, as a result one soldier sustained injury,” spokesman for provincial administration Daud Ahmadi told Xinhua. Meanwhile, a NATO source with press department in southern region confirmed the incident, saying it was a hard landing and all four aboard were rescued safe and sound.[38][39]
    • August 5: A Canadian CH-47D Chinook was shot down in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. It made a hard landing and burned out on the ground, wounding eight soldiers.[40]
    • USAF Roundel July 31: A US helicopter crashed in province of Kunar [41]
    • USAF Roundel July 26: A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Pul-e-Charkhi area east of capital city Kabul.Two NATO troops were killed.[42][43]
    • USAF Roundel July 22: A US AH-1W SuperCobra was shotdown in Helmand province, killing two US servicemen.[44][45][46][47]
    • June 25: An ISAF helicopter made a hard landing caused by mechanical problems on June 25 in Kunar Province in eastern Afghanistan. All aboard were evacuated to a nearby ISAF medical treatment facilities. No fatalities were reported. The incident is under investigation.[48]
    • RAF Roundel June 23: A British RAF Mk3 Merlin made a heavy landing at a forward operating base in the Lashkar Gar area of Helmand province. No-one was seriously injured and the incident was determined to be a non-hostile event.[49] A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E was used to recover the aircraft and transport it to Camp Bastion.[50]
    • USAF Roundel June 21: A US Army UH-60 Blackhawk crashed in northern Kandahar Province, killing three Australian Commandos and the US crew chief, and injuring another seven Australians and a US crewman.[51][52][53]
    • USAF Roundel June 9: A Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk CSAR helicopter was shot down in Helmand province, killing 5 American airmen.[54][55][56][57]
    • RAF Roundel May 21: A Westland Sea King carrying five troops was hit by an RPG and crash-landed in Nad-e Ali, Helmand Province. The five were injured but not seriously.[58]
    • USAF Roundel May 14 An UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter made a hard landing in Kandahar Province causing injuries to several coalition and Afghan military personnel. It was destroyed on the site by ISAF members, apparently to prevent it from falling into insurgents’ hands.[59]
    • USAF Roundel May 10 An MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter made a controlled landing after being hit by enemy fire in Helmand Province. All crewmembers have been safely returned to base. Helicopter was destroyed by international forces .[60]
    • USAF Roundel April 9 A US Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed near Qalat, Zabul Province, killing three US service members and one government contractor.[61] This is the first combat loss of an Osprey.[62]
    • USAF Roundel March 31: US Navy E-2 Hawkeye surveillance plane stationed with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower crashed in the Arabian sea at approximately 2 p.m. local time while returning from an operational flight conducted as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The one U.S. crew member presumed missing was declared dead and three were rescued.[63]
    • USAF Roundel March 28: A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk crashed in Zabul province in southern Afghanistan. 14 ISAF and Afghan service members were injured.[64]
    • March 23: A Turkish Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter experienced technical problems as it tried to land at a base in Maidan Shar, the capital of Wardak province. It hit a hill as it was coming down and rolled over.[65]

    2009

    • USAF Roundel December 11:A USAF HH-60G Pave Hawk crash landed after receiving heavy machine gun fire in an LZ and forced to land 2 miles away from where they took off, the aircraft was later destroyed. The co-pilot suffered minor injuries.[66]
    • PAF Checkerboard December 3: A Polish Land Forces Mi-24V Hind attack helicopter was damaged after making an emergency autorotation landing immediately after taking off from Ghazni airfield in Afghanistan. The crew and passengers were not seriously injured.[67]
    • USAF Roundel October 26: A US MH-47G Chinook crashed in Badghis province, in western Afghanistan reportedly due to low visibility caused by “thick dust stirred up” during takeoff at night,[68][69] killing seven US servicemen and three US Drug Enforcement Administration agents. 14 Afghan and 11 American servicemen and one US DEA agent were injured in the crash.[70][71][72]
    • USAF Roundel October 26: Two US helicopters collided in midair in southern Afghanistan, killing four US Marines and injuring two ISAF servicemen.[71] The helicopters were a UH-1N Twin Huey and an AH-1W SuperCobra from the USMC.[73][74]
    • USAF Roundel October 17: A US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter had crashed due to a high level wind sheer in search of the missing C-12 Huron, no injuries.[75]
    • USAF Roundel October 13: A US Army C-12 Huron twin-engine turboprop had crashed in Nuristan province. Its remnants were discovered on October 19, with three bodies of American civilian personnel.[75][76]
    • Afghan National Army emblem.png October 8: An Afghan National Army Air Corps Antonov An-32 S/N 354 crashed on landing in Southwestern Afghanistan.[77]
    • RAF Roundel August 30: CH-47 Chinook( S/N ZA673) suffered a hard landing and was badly damaged in the Sangin area of Helmand province. The four crew and 15 soldiers from the 2 Rifles battlegroup were unharmed.[78]
    • USAF Roundel August 25: A US Navy F/A-18C Hornet aircraft caught fire during maintenance at Kandahar airbase and was burnt out.[79]
    • RAF Roundel August 20: A British CH-47 Chinook (S/N ZA709) was shot down in the Sangin area of Helmand province. The crew survived.[80]
    • PAF Checkerboard August 6: A Polish Land Forces Mi-24V Hind attack helicopter en route to Ghazni from Kabul was reported hit by heavy machine gun fire and forced to make a hard landing. Nobody aboard was injured.[81]
    • RAF Roundel July 20: A British Royal Air Force GR4 Tornado fighter jet crashed at Kandahar air base during takeoff at 7:20 a.m., the two pilots were injured after ejecting from the aircraft.[82]
    • USAF Roundel July 18: A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed in central Afghanistan, killing the two crew members.[83]
    • July 7: A Canadian CH-146 Griffon crashed in Zabul, Afghanistan, killing 3 coalition soldiers.[84]
    • USAF Roundel May 22: A US AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province. One crew member killed in the incident.[85]
    • RAF Roundel May 14: A British Harrier GR9 jet crashed in Afghanistan the Ministry of Defence said. The pilot is believed to have suffered only minor injuries when he ejected from the aircraft after it crash landed at Kandahar airfield at about 10:30am local time. It is believed there were no other casualties.[86][87]
    • USAF Roundel January 17: A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan. Small arms fire was involved. One US soldier was killed in the incident.[88]
    • USAF Roundel January 16: A US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Afghanistan on the outskirts of Kabul. No deaths were reported.[89]
    • Afghan National Army emblem.png January 15: An Afghan army Mi-17 crashed in the Adraskan District of Herat province, killing all 13 on board, including General Fazaludin Sayar, the regional commander in charge of the western part of Afghanistan. The government declared the crash was due to bad weather, while the Taliban claimed to have shot the helicopter down.[90]

    2008

    • USAF Roundel October 27: A US UH-60 Black Hawk was shot down in Wardak Province, with no fatalities.[91] Taliban forces claim to have used a Rocket-propelled grenade. The 10 soldiers on board were rescued.
    • USAF Roundel October 21: A United States Navy P-3 Orion reconnaissance and intelligence aircraft overshot the runway at Bagram Air Base while landing. The aircraft caught fire and was destroyed but the only injury to the crew was one broken ankle. The aircraft was from PATWING 5 from Naval Air Station Brunswick and was assigned to CTF-57 in Afghanistan.[92]
    • RAF Roundel September 4: A British Army Air Corps Apache AH1 crashed shortly after takeoff in Helmand province. Both crew members were unhurt.[93]
    • August 8: United Arab Emirates Air Force C-130 Hercules (S/N 1212) Overran runway at Bagram Air Base, Kabul, and caught fire. The plane was partially salvaged.
    • USAF Roundel July 2: A US UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down by RPG and small arms fire south of the Afghan capital in Logar province. The pilots were able to land the aircraft and evacuate everyone on board before it caught fire, another helicopter returned later and destroyed the wreckage with precision fire.[94]
    • USAF Roundel June 25: A US-led coalition forces helicopter crashed in northeastern province of Kunar in Afghanistan, causing “minor injuries” to two soldiers on board.[95]
    • USAF Roundel June 5: A US OH-58 Kiowa crashed at Kandahar Army Airfield, Afghanistan during a test flight killing the maintenance pilot and his crew chief. They were assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade.[96]

    2007

    • Afghan National Army emblem.png December 10: An Afghan army Mi-17 helicopter crashed in heavy fog about 70 kilometres southwest of Kabul, killing four soldiers.
    • Roundel of the German Air Force border.svg September 25: A German CH-53G helicopter crash-landed in the border area between RC-North and West during a med-evac. No soldiers were killed during this incident. The helicopter was blown up by Norwegian and Latvian forces after they had spent two days under siege by Taliban forces.[citation needed]
    • September 25 Spanish Eurocopter AS332 SAR helicopter (S/N HD.21-6) overturned while trying to land during a mission to evacuate Afghan police wounded by a roadside bomb in the western province of Badghis. Helicopter written off.[97]
    • RAF Roundel August 23: A RAF C-130 Hercules made a hard landing at night on an airstrip in Afghanistan. The Hercules, from 47 RAF Lyneham, was badly damaged and could not be recovered. It was blown up by British engineers so that sensitive equipment would not fall into enemy hands. No casualties were reported.[98][99]
    • August 21: An Italian AB-212 helicopter crashes while attempting an emergency landing due to technical problems, 3 Italian soldiers wounded.[100]
    • USAF Roundel August 10: A US CH-47 Chinook s/n 83-24123 while on the ground at Bagram Air Base, taxied into another parked CH-47D aircraft (84-24182) and was severely damaged. There were no fatalities. Aircraft written off.[101]
    • USAF Roundel May 30: A US CH-47 Chinook was shot down, in the upper Sangin valley, killing 5 American, one British and one Canadian soldiers. Until July 25, 2010, officially its downing was attributed to small arms and rocket-propelled grenade. It became clear that it was downed by a MANPADS as the Coalition forces generally downplay or even deny any SAM attack by Taliban insurgents[102][103][104]
    • USAF Roundel February 18: A US MH-47 Chinook from 2-160th SOAR carrying 22 U.S. servicemen crashed in Zabul Province, killing 8 and injuring 14.[105]

    2006

    • RAF Roundel September 2: A British Nimrod MR.2 aircraft catches fire after in-flight refueling, explodes and crashes near Kandahar, killing 14 crewmembers.
    • KLu Roundel August 31: A Dutch F-16A Block 20 MLU fighter crashes near Ghazni, killing the pilot.[106]
    • USAF Roundel July 2: A US AH-64 Apache out of Kandahar air base crashes, killing one pilot CW3 William Timothy Flanigan and injuring the other.[107]
    • USAF Roundel June 11 A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter 91-0497 suffered emergency landing in Helmand Province.Aircraft subsequently deliberately destroyed by coalition airstrike.[108]
    • RAF Roundel May 24: A RAF C-130 Hercules (XV206) crashes after a minestrike during landing at a dirt landing strip outside the town of Lashkar Gar. All nine crew and 26 passengers aboard safely evacuated, but the airframe burned out.
    • USAF Roundel May 5: A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan, killing all 10 U.S. soldiers on board.
    • USAF Roundel April 28: A US AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed north of Qalat, Afghanistan. Pilot survived with minor injuries, while co-pilot/gunner 1LT Daniel McConnell suffered a traumatic amputation of right arm.[109]

    2005

    • USAF Roundel December 4: A CH-47 Chinook helicopter 91-00269 was struck by small arms fire.There were two injuries and the aircraft was consumed in the post-landing fire.[110]
    • KLu Roundel October 31: A Dutch CH-47D Chinook helicopter, D-104, made a hard landing after losing power in cruise flight. There were several injuries and the aircraft was destroyed by Dutch troops after salvaging usable parts.[111]
    • USAF Roundel October 22: UH-60 Black Hawk crashes in Oruzgan province, injuring three.[112]
    • RAF Roundel October 14: An RAF Harrier GR7A was destroyed and another had been damaged in a rocket attack by Taliban forces while parked on the tarmac at Kandahar. No one was injured in the attack. The damaged Harrier was repaired at the airfield while the destroyed one was replaced by another fighter which flew out from Britain on the same evening.[113]
    • USAF Roundel October 7: A MH-47E Chinook helicopter, 89-00160, of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment was destroyed in an accident but all crew members emerged virtually unscathed.[114]
    • USAF Roundel September 25: Five US soldiers were killed when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Zabul province while returning from an operation.[115] Though initially reported as an accident, the crash was later confirmed to have been caused by hostile fire.[116]
    • Afghan National Army emblem.png September 10: An Afghan army Mi-17 helicopter crashed in the Panjshir Valley following a memorial ceremony marking the 4th anniversary of the assassination by Al Qaeda of rebel commander Ahmed Shah Masood.Two passengers were injured, but no one was killed, in the helicopter which was carrying military and government officials from the memorial events.[112][117]
    • August 16: Seventeen Spanish soldiers were killed when their Cougar AS532 helicopter crashes near Herat. A second Spanish helicopter made an emergency landing, injuring five soldiers. The crash was reported as an accident, although witnesses said they took AAA fire from a nearby village.
    • USAF Roundel July 29: A US AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near Baghram airbase.The crew survived.
    • KLu Roundel July 27: A Dutch CH-47D Chinook helicopter, D-105, crashed in a landing incident in a brownout while inserting troops. No injuries but the aircraft was written-off.[111]
    • USAF Roundel June 28: A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Kunar province by Taliban commander Qari Ismail, killing all 16 US Special Forces servicemen on board. The US military says it was shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. The helicopter was on a rescue mission for Operation Red Wings a team of four SEAL members, pinned down by Taliban gunmen.[118][119]
    • RAF Roundel June 25: A Special Forces RAF Hercules carrying the new British ambassador in Afghanistan caught fire after setting down at a landing strip outside the town of Lashkar Gah in Helmand Province. No casualties reported.[120]
    • USAF Roundel June 22: U-2 spyplane crashes at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE on return from a mission in Afghanistan, killing the pilot.[121]
    • USAF Roundel April 6: A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in a sandstorm near Ghazni, killing all 15 American soldiers and three civilian contractors.

    2004

    • USAF Roundel December 16: A US OH-58 Kiowa crashes north of Shindand, in Afghanistan’s Herat province, injuring its two pilots.[122]
    • USAF Roundel October 20: HH-60 Pave Hawk N87-26014 crashes during a med-evac injuring four on board and killing Jesse Samek.[123]
    • KLu Roundel August 29: A Dutch AH-64D Apache, designation Q-20, crashes near Kabul, slightly injuring one crew member.[124]
    • USAF Roundel August 12: UH-60 Black Hawk crashes in Khost province, killing one soldier and injuring fourteen.
    • USAF Roundel June 28:The crew of an AH-64DApache helicopter escaped with minor injuries after being forced to make an emergency landing north of Qalat.The aircraft caught on fire and was completely destroyed.[125]

    2003

    • USAF Roundel November 23: MH-53 Pave Low helicopter crashed shortly after leaving Bagram Air Base, killing four U.S. airmen and one U.S. soldier.[126]
    • USAF Roundel November 6: UH-1N Huey crashes at Kandahar air base Camp Rhino.[127]
    • USAF Roundel June 3: A US AH-64 Apache helicopter (N 89-0258) crashed near Urgun Paktika Province.The crew survived.
    • USAF Roundel April 23: A US CH-47 Chinook helicopter (N 90-0217) suffered hard landing in Spinboldak area .The crew survived.
    • USAF Roundel March 23: Komodo 11 a HH-60 Pave Hawk crashes in Afghanistan, killing six on board.[128]
    • USAF Roundel January 30: UH-60 Black Hawk crashes 7 miles east of Bagram Air Base, killing four.
    • USAF Roundel January 8: A US helicopter (type unknown) crashes in Kunar province, killing five Americans and two Afghans.[129]

    2002

    • Roundel of the German Air Force border.svg December 21: CH-53G crashed in Kabul, killing seven German soldiers.
    • December 19: F-16A Block 20 MLU fighter overran a runway at Bagram airbase and landed about 500 meters away in a mine field. The Danish Air Force pilot was evacuated to a US Army hospital.[130]
    • USAF Roundel November 1: Two CH-47 Chinook helicopters collided in Afghanistan.One of them crashed ,another was repaired later[127]
    • USAF Roundel August 13: A US AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed about 20 miles south of Kabul.The crew survived.[130]
    • USAF Roundel August 13: HH-60 Pave Hawk crashed in Urgun, injuring six on board. A civilian wounded in an ambush had been taken from the eastern town of Khost to a U.S. medical team in Urgun, and the Air Force helicopter was leaving when the accident occurred.[131]
    • USAF Roundel June 12: MC-130H Combat Talon crashed in eastern Afghanistan, killing three of the ten service members aboard.[132]
    • USAF Roundel April 11, AH-64 Apache crash-lands outside of Kandahar.[133]
    • USAF Roundel March 4: Two CH-47 Chinook helicopters were hit by RPGs and gunfire during Operation Anaconda. Two were killed in the first helicopter, which was dropping off a SEAL team. The second Chinook came in later that day to try to rescue the crew of the first CH-47, and subsequently was shot down, killing four.
    • USAF Roundel February 13: MC-130P Shadow crashed in eastern Afghanistan. There were no casualties.[134]
    • USAF Roundel January 28: CH-47 Chinook crashed in eastern Afghanistan due to a brownout, injuring 14 soldiers.
    • USAF Roundel January 20: CH-53E from HMM-361 crashed 40 miles south of Bagram air base killing two Marines on board.[135]
    • USAF Roundel January 9: A KC-130 Hercules tanker crashed into a Pakistani mountain, killing seven Americans on board.

    2001

    • USAF Roundel December 12: A US B-1 Lancer bomber returning from a mission over Afghanistan crashes 30 miles north of Diego Garcia. All 4 crew members eject safely.[136]
    • USAF Roundel December 6: UH-1N Huey crashes at Kandahar air base, two Marines suffered minor injuries.[137]
    • USAF Roundel November 20: MH-6J crashed at a base, wounding 4 on board.
    • USAF Roundel November 2: MH-53 Pave Low crashed on a special operations mission in northern Afghanistan due to bad weather, injuring four on board.
    • USAF Roundel October 19: UH-60 Black Hawk crashed at Dalbandin air base in Pakistan, killing two U.S. Army rangers. The cause was brownout from dust kicked up by the helicopter rotor.[138]

    Contract aircraft, non-military aircraft losses

    • Flag of the United Kingdom.svg* February 11, 2012: A Mi-8 helicopter under contract for NATO forces crashed in southern Afghanistan and at least four people on board were killed.The aircraft, owned by the Kabul-based logistics company Supreme and crewed by four Tajik civilians, went down somewhere in the west of Zabul province.[139]
    • * January 16, 2012: A Bell 214 helicopter under contract for NATO forces crashed and burst in flames in Nadali district near Shora area of southern Helmand province, Afghanistan.All three people on board were killed.[140]
    • Flag of Azerbaijan.svg July 6, 2011: IL-76 cargo plane, registered 4K-AZ55, was destroyed in an accident near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The plane is said to have flown into the side of a mountain at about 12,500 feet (3,800 meters).The transport plane carried a total of 18 tons of cargo for the NATO-led forces at Bagram Air Base.[141]
    • Flag of Ghana October 12, 2010: A L-100-30 Lockheed Hercules (Leased from Transafrik Registration 5X-TUC)cargo plane crashed in a fireball and plummeted into a mountain crevice near the Afghan capital. Eight crew members (six Filipinos, one Indian and one Kenyan) were all killed.[142]
    • July 28, 2010: Antonov An-12 cargo plane crash-landed in Helmand Province.There were no injuries during the crash.Aircraft destroyed.[143]
    • Flag of South Africa June 4, 2010: A L-100-30 Lockheed Hercules (Leased from Transafrik Registration S9-BAT) sustained substantial damage in a landing accident at Sharana AB, Afghanistan. The airplane came to rest beside the runway. The number 4 propeller separated from the engine and the undercarriage was pushed up into the wheel wells.[144]
    • Kazakhstan May 30, 2010: A Mi-8 contract helicopter made a hard landing in the Jaji district of Paktiya Province. A civilian on the ground was killed when he was struck by debris, and three crew members received minor injuries.[145]
    • Flag of Kyrgyzstan May 2, 2010: A Mi-8 helicopter (EX-40008) under contract for NATO forces in Afghanistan crashed during emergency landing at FOB Kalagush,Nuristan. Crewmembers injured during the incident.[146]
    • April 25, 2010: A Bell 214 helicopter under contract for NATO forces made an emergency landing, due to mechanical problems suffered during the flight, in Farah Province. No one was injured during the incident.The helicopter caught fire after the crewmembers and passengers left the helicopter. Due to the fire damage the helicopter was deemed unrecoverable.[147]
    • Turkey March 1, 2010: A Airbus A300 cargo plane operating for DHL Airways leased from ACT Airlines reportedly registered TC-ACB, suffered a landing mishap at Bagram Air Base , Afghanistan. It came to rest on the left runway shoulder of runway 03, approximately 500 ft north of taxiway Charlie and just south of the 3000 feet remaining distance marker.It has been reported that the airplane suffered a collapse of, presumably the left hand, main undercarriage.Aircraft written off.[148]
    • United Arab Emirates November 23, 2009: A Mi-8 helicopter under contract for NATO forces crashed in eastern Logar province.Three Ukrainians were killed in the crash. Helicopter belonged to Air Freight Aviation(UAE).[149]
    • Russia July 19, 2009: A Mi-8 helicopter under contract for NATO forces in Afghanistan crashed at Kandahar air base, killing 16 people and wounding five others. Helicopter belonged to Vertikal-T (Russia).[150]
    • Moldova July 14, 2009: A Mi-26 helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan, killing the six Ukrainian crewmembers. The aircraft belonged to Pectox-Air, a Moldovan aviation firm.[151]
    • Kazakhstan February 14, 2008: A Kazakhstan registered (UN-76020) IL-76 operated by Asia Continental Airlines damaged beyond repair after an engine fire in Kandahar Airport.[152]
    • RussiaDecember 3, 2006: A Mi-26 helicopter under contract with Dyncorp, a US security company, crashes in Afghanistan, killing eight Russian crew.Helicopter belonged to Vertikal-T (Russia).[153]
    • July 27, 2006: A chartered Mi-8 helicopter with 16 passengers and crew crashes en route from Khost to Kabul, killing all on board including 2 Dutch ISAF soldiers.[154]
    • Ukraine April 24, 2006: An An-26 leased by the US State Department and carrying US DEA agents crashes on landing at Bost airport in Lashkar Gah, killing the two Ukrainian pilots and two young girls on the ground. The plane attempted to avoid a truck during landing[155]
    • Georgia (country) November 11, 2005: A Georgian registered IL-76 operated by Pakistan’s Royal Airlines, on charter to carry food for coalition troops, crashes near Khak-e-Shahidan village, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) northwest of Kabul, killing all 8 crew members (5 Russians, 2 Ukrainians and 1 Pakistani)[156]
    • KazakhstanApril 25, 2005:: A Kazakhstan registered (UN-11003) Antonov An-12 cargo plane swerved off the runway at Kabul Airport. Five of the six crew members were slightly injured.Aircraft written off.[157]
    • Moldova December 30, 2004: A Moldovan registered (ER-IBM) IL-76 operated by Airline Transport crashed in Kabul Airport at 03:48.[158]
    • United States November 27, 2004: A US Registered CASA 212 contracted by the US Department of Defense to supply American forces deployed in remote areas of Afghanistan entered a box canyon and struck the 14,650 foot level of Baba Mountain, which has a peak elevation of 16,739 feet. The flight was about 25 nm north of the typical route between Bagram and Farah. All six occupants were killed[159]
    • Australia February 22, 2004: AB-212 helicopter crashed after coming under fire 65 kilometres south-west of the southern city of Kandahar.Pilot Mark Burdorf, 45 years-old, killed. Helicopter belonged to Pacific Helicopters(Australia).[160]

    Summary per type

    Question book-new.svg This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.
    Rotary-wing losses

    105 (18 to hostile fire)

    Type # Hostile fire
    AB-212 1
    AH-1W Supercobra 3
    AH-64 Apache 11
    UH-60 Black Hawk 17 4
    CH-47 Chinook 29 10
    CH-53E Super Stallion 1
    CH-53 Sea Stallion 3
    CH-146 Griffon 1
    Cougar AS532 2
    Super Puma AS332 1
    Eurocopter Tiger 1
    HH-60 Pave Hawk 4 1
    MH-53 Pave Low 2
    MH-6J 1
    Mil Mi-17 5
    Mil Mi-24 4 1
    Merlin MK3 1
    OH-58 Kiowa 4 1
    Aerospatiale Gazelle 2
    Westland Sea King 1 1
    CV-22 Osprey 1
    UH-1N Huey 3
    Unknown 8
    		Fixed-wing losses

    23 (*1 to hostile fire while on the ground)

    Type # Hostile fire
    F-15 Eagle 1
    F-16 Falcon 2
    F-18 Hornet 1
    Dassault Rafale 1
    Mirage 2000 1
    C-130 Hercules 5
    Antonov An-32 1
    C-12 Huron 1
    GR-4 Tornado 1
    MC-130 Combat Talon/Shadow 2
    Nimrod MR.2 1
    P-3 Orion 1
    U-2 1
    E-2 Hawkeye 1
    B-1 Lancer 1
    Harrier 2 *1

    Contract aircraft losses

    22

    Type # Hostile fire
    IL-76 4
    Airbus A-300 1
    Antonov An-12 2
    Antonov An-26 1
    Lockheed Hercules L 100-30 2
    CASA 212 1
    Mi-26 2 1
    Mi-8/17 6
    AB 212 1 1
    Bell 214 2

    |} Notes:

    • Numerous crashes and shootdowns involving UAVs are not included in the lists above, because UAVs crash more than manned aircraft.
    • Summaries are calculated based on the incidents included in this article.

    Comparisions

    This section is mainly designed for compare between aicraft losses during War in Afghanistan threw the decades. Some types of aicrafts were used before and now, of course sometimes with heavy or light modifications. The weapon of insurgents changed also in the history, but especially in two last wars were similar, differing in number of course.

    Mi-24 and variants

    The Mi-24 was a helicopter used widely during the War in Afghanistan of Soviet-era times. Today there were about 17 deployed Mi-24 (and Mi-35) for use on NATO side (mainly by Polish army and Afghan National Army[161].[162][163] [164]From 17 deployed 3 were lost(06-03-2012) what gives ~ 17.65% loss.

    Comparing with Soviet era mi-24 they have lost ~74[165]. It is hard to find the total number of mi24 used in Afghanistan[166] but at the end of 1990 whole Soviet Army had 1,420 Mi-24[167]. During Afghan war the sources estimates the strength of the helicopter up to 600 machines per year, from that up to 250 may be a mi-24[168].

    That gives up to ~29.6 % loss, which makes it possible because this was a main type of helicopter used during war[169] and insurgents was widely supplied by for e.g. U.S. with new(in 80s) rockets [170]

  • Istanbul-like mass transit system: Punjab government invites proposals

    Istanbul-like mass transit system: Punjab government invites proposals

    The Punjab government has invited proposals from the district government for launching an Istanbul-like mass transit system in Multan.

    istanbul public transit collage

    Official sources disclosed that a high level committee is also formed on the pattern of Lahore’s Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency and DCO Multan is appointed as its head.

    The committee is learnt to have decided to restore uninterrupted flow of traffic on 20 major roads of Multan and it has tasked the traffic police with ensuring traffic flow on three roads within 15 days as a pilot project of the programme.

    “In order to keep the traffic moving, the timings of educational institutions will be shuffled to avoid sudden rush and traffic jams,” sources added.

    The committee has reviewed different routes like Vehari Chowk to Qaddafi Chowk, Rashidabad and Chungi No-9 to Bahauddin Zakariya University and the proposals will soon be sent to the government.

    Similarly, the services of national and multi-national companies would be sought for the beautification of different chowks and roads.

    Meanwhile, chairing a meeting, DCO Multan Mudassar Riaz Malik said that 100 percent restoration of traffic system is impossible till completion of all ongoing development projects.

    He added that the city traffic would move uninterrupted once projects like construction of Rashidabad flyover, Inner Ring Road, Old Shujabad Road, Mumtazabad Road and Bosan Road as well as widening of road between Chowk Qaddafi and Chungi No-9 are not done.

    He said that a model project is being launched on three roads of Multan to improve traffic system.

    The roads include Boman Ji Chowk to Pul Mauj Darya via High Court, Nishtar Road and Abdali Road.

    via Istanbul-like mass transit system: Punjab government invites proposals | Business Recorder.

  • Punjab signs two accords with Turkish firms

    Punjab signs two accords with Turkish firms

    LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistani and Turk investors should benefit from the best opportunities of investment available in the province.

    He was speaking on the occasion of signing of two agreements between Turk companies Al-Bayrak, Ozkartallar Compak and Lahore Transport Company here on Tuesday. Ahmet Al-Bayrak of Al-Bayrak Company and Muhibi Kartel and Abdul Qadir Turan of Ozkartallar Compak and Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan Chairman Lahore Transport Company singed the agreements. Mayor Istanbul Dr Kadir Topbas was also present.

    Shahbaz congratulated the Istanbul mayor and his delegation as well as Pakistani and Turk business community. He expressed confidence in the Turk companies and said that they were associated with more than 100 institutions of Turkey and it was hoped that Pakistani business community would benefit from the opportunities of mutual cooperation and joint ventures and play their role for making the Punjab a role model for other provinces. Mayor Instanbul Dr. Kadir Topbas also spoke.

    Talking to a Turk delegation, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said implementation of joint ventures between the Punjab and Istanbul would promote trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey. He said that the recent visit of Mayor Istanbul Kadir Topbas to Lahore would open up new avenues of bilateral cooperation and relationship between the two countries.

    He said the Daanish Technical University would be established in the provincial metropolis with the cooperation of Turkey. He said that cooperation of Turkey would also be acquired for the construction of parking plazas and training programmes of the Punjab Police.

    Those who met the chief minister included Osman Askin, Chairman Albayrak Company Ahmet Albayrak, Haybaraccli, Qadir Noran and others. The Turkish print and electronic media has given extensive coverage to the visit of Mayor Istanbul to Lahore and shown keen interest in the engagements of the Turk delegation during the last two days.

    The Turk media described the Punjab CM as a dynamic personality with reference to the important agreements signed with Turkey for various projects and observed that he was actively engaged in the development of the province and socio-economic uplift of the masses. The representatives of the Turk media before their departure for Turkey described the rousing welcome extended to them as memorable and said that it showed the wide popularity of Punjab CM and his team among the people. The Turk media paid growing tributes to the hospitality of Lahorites also.

    via Punjab signs two accords with Turkish firms – The News.

  • Turkey’s Armenian policy subcontracted to a few Armenophiles and Turcophobes?

    Turkey’s Armenian policy subcontracted to a few Armenophiles and Turcophobes?

    by Adil Baguirov

    Cengiz Aktar is incorrect and misleading on numerous points in his article (“Turkey’s Armenian policy subcontracted to Azerbaijan?” Today’s Zaman, Tuesday, March 8, 2012, p. 15).

    Adil Baguirov
    Adil Baguirov

    Usage of selective facts and memories, coupled with poor knowledge of world’s history, and a liberal agenda that opposes anything remotely “nationalistic” and favors kissing up to traditionally unfriendly nations, are probably to blame for Dr. Aktar’s stance (which contravenes the position of majority of Turks, according to all polls). On a more personal level, Dr. Aktar of course blames Azerbaijan, and its people, as well as all Turkish “nationalists” – who are, apparently, some 70% of the entire nation – for the flop of his insensitive, to put it mildly, campaign “Ozur diliyoruz” in 2008.

    Although Dr. Aktar claims Turkey has “never” been an important player in the Caucasus, the fact is that Turkey has always been an important player and regional actor in the Caucasus – this was especially true in the Ottoman times, when it controlled large swath of Caucasus, including Azerbaijan, for decades, in 16th and 18th centuries (and conducted important census survey’s of the population in, among other regions, Karabakh – where Armenians were in minority then and until the 20th century). It remained true in the turbulent era of the beginning of the 20th century, including during the “Great Catastrophe” times he mentions, that befell on all the people of Anatolia and (!) Caucasus – after all, according to Ottoman archives, 523,000 Turks and Kurds of Anatolia died in the hands of Armenians in the years 1914-1920. Approximately the same number of Azerbaijani Turks, Kurds, and others died in the hands of Armenians in the same period of time in the Caucasus. It continued under Ataturk and Lenin, since in 1921, two important treaties were signed, Moscow and Kars, that regulate the status of Naxcivan region of Azerbaijan, as well as other parts of Caucasus (e.g., Batumi, Ajaria).

    Indeed, Naxcivan region has always been extremely close, especially spiritually, to Turkey, and would probably appeal far more to a typical Turk than some of the regions inside Turkey itself. To be sure, the few surviving 100 year old elders in Naxcivan still remember the day, hour and even minute of when Gen. Kazim Karabekir Pasha’s army entered the region and saved the Azerbaijani Turks, as well as a Kurdish minority, from total annihilation by the French-, British-, and Russian-armed Armenian army, commanded by war criminals such as Andronik Ozanyan and future Nazi SS general Dro (Drastamat Kanayan), who are still considered “heroes” in modern Armenia and its diaspora (and they do not even think about an apology to Turks, Azeris, Kurds, or Jews).

    Turkey joined NATO in 1952 – a seminal event in the history of that alliance and in the history of Turkey – after Stalin, per advice from his Armenian comrade Anastas Mikoyan, demanded Kars, Ardahan and other territories in Eastern Turkey which are geographically in the Caucasus region, not Anatolia (yes, let us explain for the geography-challenged – it means Turkey is still geographically part of Caucasus even today). If Turks thought that would be the end of it, they were reminded again on 23 August 1990 by the Armenian declaration of independence, which concludes its claims on a major chord (official translation into English by the Armenian government): “Article 11. The Republic of Armenia stands in support of the task of achieving international recognition of the 1915 Genocide in Ottoman Turkey and Western Armenia” (i.e., refers to Eastern Turkey as “Western Armenia”).

    So this is how an independent Armenia began its life – with declaration that anti-Turkish resolutions and activities are its state policy and government objective.  Needless to say, this did not bode well with the Turkish people, who have been demanding that Armenian government changes its stance. And this is what led to the “brave”, as Dr. Aktar refers to them, Zurich Protocols to sink. Brave were the Turkish people who overwhelmingly protested this, not the politicians or liberal journalists singing praise to such undemocratic, illogical, and immoral actions as ignoring the will of the majority of Turkish citizens, overlooking Armenian state claims and diaspora actions, and pretending that actions like the Khojaly Massacre or Karabakh and Kelbajar occupation, all committed by the Armenian government officials now in power, are not directly inter-linked.

    The fact is that Turkey remains a very important player in the Caucasus, and thanks to its strategic partnership and alliance with Azerbaijan, its role not just in the Caucasus, but the Greater Middle East, and the world, has increased significantly. Turkey would have a hard time to compete with Saudi Arabia for the leadership in the Arab world, not to mention competition from Iran for the hearts and minds of the Arab and Iranic worlds. Nor can it compete with the EU for the hearts and minds of Balkans, after they will be fully absorbed into the Union.

    But in the Turkic world, Turkey has a natural leadership position. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are among top investors into Turkey, while Azerbaijanis from various countries, including from Russia, have been top individual investors for the past decade. Turkey’s status as an energy hub is, without any shadow of doubt, due to the BTC and BTE pipelines, which were paid for mostly by Azerbaijan and carries Azerbaijani oil and gas. Have any other nation(s) done anything as important geo-strategically and geo-economically? No. These foreign direct investments are made into Turkey in large part due to ethnic, linguistic, cultural and historic affinity Turkic nations share – even though investments into China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, or some other nations might be more profitable.

    Furthermore, it is to check against Turkey in the Caucasus that Russia maintains the large Gymri army base in Armenia, and Russia’s ultra-nationalist (or some say, fascist) political leaders such as Vice-Speaker of the Duma and relentless presidential contender Vladimir Zhirinovsky constantly calls for (including numerous times this February 2012 as a candidate for President of the Russian Federation).

    While Dr. Aktar might have difficulties in talking with representatives of other Turkic nations, many Turks do not, and certainly, many Turkic people, from as far away as Yakutia in Russia, not to mention Azerbaijanis, Turkmens, Uzbeks or Gagauz, have no problem in basic verbal communication skills while in Turkey. Considering the staggering geographic distances and millenniums of living apart, this is incredible – Russians cannot understand Polish people or Ukrainians whom they border, while British, Irish, Scots and Americans have sometimes trouble understanding each others’ accents, as do Arabs in countries like, say, Algeria and Lebanon. Meanwhile Chinese and Indians have multiple mutually non-intelligible languages within their countries, such as Mandarin and Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali (a total of 22 official languages in India alone).

    And of course, Armenians that Dr. Aktar lobbies hard for speak Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian – and have extreme difficulty understanding each other despite being supposedly the same people (actually genetic research shows variation within Armenians from different regions). However, Turks speaking to Azerbaijanis or Turkmen would experience very little difficulty (especially if those Turks are from Eastern Turkey), since up to 80% of the language is still the same, despite centuries and thousands of kilometers of living apart in different socio-political environments.

    Thus, linguistic commonality with other Turkic nations is very much present, and has helped Turkey tremendously, especially to Turkish business community expanding into Turkic countries (and dominating many spheres, such as construction). It also helps to know the Turkic world better, or to re-discover it. Dr. Aktar should try that, and not refer to his experiences in the early 1990s as some permanent benchmark.

    It should be noted that the DNA tests and other “gene-mapping” that Dr. Aktar refers to, are interpreted very selectively. For example, an authoritative study shows that some 11% of all men in central Eurasia (and 1 in 200 men worldwide) carry the gene of the great Cengiz Khan – and not the gene of, for example, Armenian vassal king Ara the Beautiful. All genetic studies confirm that Anatolian Turks have a double-digit genetic similarity with Turks of Central Asia, and an extremely close genetic similarity with Azerbaijani Turks.

    In fact, in a major study by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in 2001, that involved scientists from U.S., UK, Russia, Armenia, Iran, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia (but not Azerbaijan or Turkey), found that based on Y-chromosome biallelic haplotype frequencies, Turks are closest to Azeri and Kazbegi (Georgian) people, sharing number #627, followed by Iranians (#625) and others in the same green Cluster 2. In the same study, Armenians were placed in a different blue Cluster 1, and only had a number #612 – right next to Turkmens. Thus, genetic studies can prove many different things – but only authoritative and comprehensive studies should be trusted, not the highly selective sponsored-research that Dr. Aktar is most likely referring to.

    Finally, the disparaging tone and manner in which Dr. Aktar refers to 300,000 diverse residents of Istanbul who took to the Taksim square to commemorate the Khojaly Massacre – a war crime and genocidal act that is being increasingly recognized, including in several U.S. states, as well as in nations spanning from Mexico to Pakistan – is in stark contrast with his tone towards the 10,000 to 100,000 that took to the same Taksim square as part of his pet project of apologizing for everything and anything that Turkey as a state, and Turks as citizens of that state, are not guilty of. Dr. Aktar should tone down his extreme Armenophile position, his latent Turcophobia and not-so-covert anti-Azerbaijanism – and that should be the roadmap for the few unnamed “Turkish columnists” that he refers to in his article.

    Adil Baguirov, Ph.D.
    Co-founder, U.S. Turkic Network (USTN)

  • Istanbul mayor gives 100 buses for Lahore

    Istanbul mayor gives 100 buses for Lahore

    The visiting mayor drove a bus on the special bus-only lane built down the middle of Ferozepur Road. He was accompanied by Shahbaz Sharif.

    LAHORE:

    Mayor of Istanbul Kadir Topbas announced a gift of 100 buses and inaugurated the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system on Ferozepur Road on Monday, the second and final day of his visit to the provincial metropolis.

    Topbas also laid the foundation stone for the girls campus of Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges on Raiwind Road; inaugurated a monument in his name near Valencia Town on Raiwind Road; visited Mazar-i-Iqbal and Badshahi Masjid; and was conferred an honorary doctorate at Government College University.

    After inaugurating the BRT, the visiting mayor drove a bus on the special bus-only lane built down the middle of Ferozepur Road from the Naseerabad bus station to Gulab Devi Hospital. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, as he was a day earlier when driving a cleaning truck after inaugurating a new waste management system, as well as members of his delegation.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Sharif said that the first phase of the bus project from Kahna to Kalma Chowk would be completed in April while the second phase for another 30 kilometres of bus corridor would be finished in December.

    He said that the new bus service would give Lahore public transport of an international standard. He said that the project would be particularly useful to the disabled, senior citizens and women. He said that highly trained staff would operate the bus service and ticketing would be completely automated. He thanked Turkey for assisting the Punjab government with the solid waste management and bus projects.

    At an earlier luncheon hosted by the chief minister, Topbas announced a gift of 100 buses for Lahore and pledged Turkish help to the Punjab government in any sector. The chief minister thanked the mayor for the buses and called Turkey a role model for Pakistan.

    At the school foundation stone ceremony, the chairman of Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges said that the new girls campus would have the capacity for 900 students. He said that the foundation was educating more than 5,000 children in 18 schools in Pakistan. He thanked the chief minister for providing land for the campus.

    Topbas also inaugurated the renamed Kadir Topbas Chowk on Raiwind Road near Valencia Town, where a 40-feet tall replica of Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque is being built. The monument is being renamed after the mayor in view of his active role in promoting Pak-Turk ties.

    Earlier, the mayor and his wife Ozleyis Topbas and their entourage visited historical sites in Lahore. They laid a wreath at the tomb of Allama Iqbal and a Rangers contingent presented them a guard of honour. They also visited the Badshahi Masjid.

    Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2012.

    via Pak-Turk friendship: Istanbul mayor gives 100 buses for Lahore – The Express Tribune.

  • Turkey-Turkmenistan Ties Flourish in Economic Realm

    Turkey-Turkmenistan Ties Flourish in Economic Realm

    Turkey-Turkmenistan Ties Flourish in Economic Realm

    Turkey-Turkmenistan Ties Flourish in Economic Realm

    Publication: Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 9 Issue: 50
    March 12, 2012
    By: Saban Kardas
    Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov’s visit to Turkey on February 28-March 1, highlighted the evolving nature of the two countries’ bilateral relations, built around flourishing economic ties. Berdimuhammedov’s first foreign trip since his reelection on February 12 also provided an opportunity to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Turkish-Turkmen diplomatic ties since Turkmenistan’s gaining independence. With many cabinet members, officials and businessmen in his entourage, the visit also provided an opportunity to deepen the relations.

    Ankara’s official relations with Ashgabat have been largely carried out by President Abdullah Gul, who has paid four visits to Turkmenistan so far. His last official trip was in May 2011, during which he discussed ways to improve cooperation in energy, construction, transportation and communication. Berdimuhammedov also expressed his satisfaction with the accelerating pace of the bilateral ties and underscored that his country viewed Turkey as a strategic partner. For his part, Gul has been particularly interested in improving energy cooperation between the two countries (Anadolu Ajansi, May 31, 2011).

    During Berdimuhammedov’s visit, Gul showed the highest level of hospitality, underscoring the importance attached to developing bilateral ties. He decorated Berdimuhammedov with a state medal of honor, which crowned many agreements penned to bolster cooperation in trade, tourism, the fight against terrorism, training of diplomats, etc., in addition to various other business deals. Berdimuhammedov again reiterated that Ashgabat views its relationship with Ankara as strategically important, and Turkmenistan would welcome even a larger involvement of Turkish companies as his country works to rebuild its cities through numerous infrastructure investments. The Turkish-Turkmen Business Forum attended, by both leaders in Istanbul, allowed the parties to discuss specific projects (Anadolu Ajansi, February 29, March 1).

    Reflecting the high premium placed by Ankara on mutual economic relations, Turkey’s Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan has also frequented Ashgabat lately. Caglayan’s last visit was in January where he also attended the bilateral business forum and was received by Berdimuhammedov. During that visit, a protocol was signed within the context of the Turkish-Turkmen Intergovernmental Economic Committee, and the parties agreed to instruct their Central Banks to make necessary arrangements so that they could use their national currencies in bilateral commercial deals. Caglayan especially expressed his satisfaction with Turkmen officials’ welcoming attitude toward Turkish construction companies, adding that the latter won up to 90 percent of government construction tenders in Turkmenistan (www.haberturk.com, January 30, 2012).

    Nonetheless, although Turkey became a major trading partner for Turkmenistan, relations have yet to live up to the ambitious rhetoric. Turkey’s trade with Turkmenistan and Turkish-speaking countries, despite a two-fold increase in the last five years, still makes up only a small fraction of its overall trade. While the trade volume between these countries was $8.6 billion in 2011, it only accounted for three percent of Turkey’s overall trade volume. Turkmenistan ranked third after Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in Turkey’s overall trade with Turkic-speaking countries. While Turkey’s imports from Turkmenistan were worth $392.7 million, its exports totaled $1.5 billion (Anadolu Ajansi February 6).

    Turkey’s main economic activity with Turkmenistan and partly other Turkic-speaking countries has been in construction projects. Many of these countries have been working to rebuild, using the wealth generated by their energy riches. Turkmenistan has stood atop that list in recent years. For instance, in a development that marked the growing importance of Turkmenistan for Turkish contractors’ international operations, in 2010, Turkmenistan ranked number one on the list of tenders assumed by Turkish companies in around 50 countries. Of the total $20.3 billion in projects that Turkish firms undertook globally in 2010, they contracted on tenders worth $4.3 billion in Turkmenistan, followed by Libya, Iraq and Russia. To date, the total volume of projects undertaken by Turkish companies in Turkmenistan exceeded $23 billion, corresponding to about 10 percent of the Turkish firms’ operations worldwide (Anadolu Ajansi, March 19, 2011; July 25, 2011).

    With these statistics, Ankara has been Ashgabat’s chief trade partner, while Turkmenistan emerged as the main destination of Turkish investments in Central Asia. Most Turkish economic activity in Turkmenistan is carried out by small or medium scale enterprises. Established there by Turkish investors following Turkmenistan’s independence, some of these companies acted rather in an adventurous manner and took risks. While many of them lost their investments in the 1990s, the first comer’s advantage worked in favor of many others who later became important business actors.

    Granted, Turkish investors still encounter problems. One particular issue has been the difficulties in receiving payment for the projects they complete in Turkmenistan. In addition to inviting new investments to take advantage of attractive business opportunities in his country, Berdimuhammedov also promised to solve the payment problems. Representatives from some Turkish business associations raised questions about his sincerity, as similar promises in the past have not ended the controversy – current pending payments for completed projects are worth $1.3 billion (Hurriyet Daily News, March 2). However, other Turkish firms doing business in the country had been presenting a different picture about the causes of the dispute. A large group undertaking major infrastructure work to build 180 bridges in the country maintained that those that complete their project on time face no such problems (Cihan, February 14).

    Such high level contacts and flourishing economic ties highlighted the seamless political relations between Ankara and Ashgabad. Turkey was the first country to recognize Turkmenistan’s declaration of independence and also supported its decision to pursue neutrality in 1995. Following the euphoria of the early 1990s, the Turkish-Turkmen relationship was severely restricted during the later period of Saparmurat Niyazov’s (Turkmenbashi) reign (1991-2006). While his isolationist policy of neutrality was partly responsible for the deteriorating state of affairs, the negative experiences of some Turkish businessmen who went to the country early on also led to the cooling off of the relationship. With Berdimuhammedov’s policy of opening up, which also corresponded to a proactive foreign policy course pursued by the current Turkish government, there has been a visible increase in bilateral exchanges. With the latest trip, Berdimuhammedov has been to Turkey for a fifth time, and especially in the economic realm the progress has been remarkable. For its part, Turkey has been hoping to bolster ties with this energy-rich country, which provides a major avenue for Turkish business operations abroad, especially while the turmoil in the Middle East raises questions about the prospects of these markets.

    https://jamestown.org/program/turkey-turkmenistan-ties-flourish-in-economic-realm/