The Taliban militants group in Afghanistan has claimed the fighters of the group have shot down a drone in southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan.
The group shared a photo of the downed drone captured which is apparently a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle used by the Afghan forces.
The Taliban said the drone was shot down and captured in Maiwand district of Kandahar province but the security officials have not commented regarding the claims of the Taliban so far.
The Afghan forces are expecting to receive up to 70 ScanEagle drones under a contract worth $70 million awarded by the US Department of Defense.
The US Department of Defense (MoD) said late in November last year that the systems include 65 ScanEagle drones in total, along with spare parts, support equipment, field service support, as well as an in-theatre training facility.
The delivery of the drones by US comes as the Afghan Air Force is in critical need of equipment to provide close-air support to the Afghan ground forces.
In the meantime the Afghan Air Force officials are optimistic with the recent delivery of the state-of-the art aircraft by its international allies.
The Afghan Air Force is currently operating A-29 Super Tucano fixed wing aircraft, MD-530F Cayuse helicopters as well as Mi-25 gunships which were delivered by India last year.
Source: Khaama Press