Taliban Announces Deployment of Advanced Guided Anti-Tank & Helicopter Missiles

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has announced the activation of the Konkurs and Milan (9M135) guided missile system for the first time in Afghanistan.

On Saturday, the ministry revealed that 13 personnel have been trained to operate the newly introduced missile system.

In a statement issued on 6 January, the ministry noted that these individuals had completed their training at the General Staff Artillery Directorate. According to the Taliban, the operatives underwent a one-month specialised and technical training course.

The Ministry of Defence reported that the Konkurs and Milan missiles are capable of targeting armoured tanks, naval warships, and low-flying helicopters.

The Konkurs missile is a product of the former Soviet Union, while the Milan missile was developed through a joint effort between France and Germany. Both missile systems are considered legacy technologies, with the Milan having been designed in 1962 and the Konkurs entering production in 1974.

In 1991, Iran obtained a licence to produce a domestic version of the Konkurs missile, which it named Tosan, and subsequently began its production.

From a technical perspective, the Konkurs has a greater range and superior armour penetration capability compared to the Milan. The Milan system has seen widespread use among NATO member states, whereas the Konkurs has been favoured by nations aligned with Russia or the former Soviet Union.

The Taliban has not disclosed whether the missile system was sourced from foreign suppliers or if it forms part of the military assets inherited from the previous Afghan government.