Taliban Interior Ministry to Phase Out US-Made Military Vehicles
The Taliban has confirmed that its Interior Ministry is withdrawing and discontinuing the use of US-made Ford Ranger vehicles, replacing them with Toyota cars and motorcycles.
The Taliban has confirmed that its Interior Ministry is withdrawing and discontinuing the use of US-made Ford Ranger vehicles, replacing them with Toyota cars and motorcycles.
Sources told Afghanistan International that the decision stems from a lack of maintenance facilities, the scarcity of spare parts in Afghan markets, and the high fuel costs associated with the Ford Rangers.
Due to budget constraints, the Taliban administration reportedly cannot afford the vehicles’ maintenance and fuel expenses. In several provinces, Taliban security forces have already begun using motorcycles instead of Ford Rangers for patrols and routine operations.
A source within the Interior Ministry said: “The cost of fuel and spare parts for Ford Rangers is very high, and to reduce expenses, they are being replaced with Toyota vehicles.” The source added that dozens of Toyota Hilux and Corolla vehicles have already been distributed to ministry officials and personnel.
According to the source, China and Russia have also pledged limited support in supplying new vehicles to the ministry.
Afghanistan International earlier obtained a document dated 10 April and signed by Zainullah Aaber, chief of staff to Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, approving the decision to phase out the Ford Rangers.
The United States had previously provided thousands of Ford Ranger vehicles to Afghanistan’s former security forces for policing and public order. Similar vehicles were also used by the former Ministry of Defence.
