The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has announced the activation of the Konkurs and Milan (9M135) guided missile systems 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 January 6, the ministry noted that these individuals completed their training at the General Staff Artillery Directorate, undergoing a one-month specialized and technical training course.

According to the Taliban, the Konkurs and Milan missiles are capable of targeting armored tanks, naval warships, and low-flying helicopters. The Konkurs missile was developed by the former Soviet Union, while the Milan missile resulted from a joint effort between France and Germany. Both systems are considered legacy technologies, with the Milan designed in 1962 and the Konkurs entering production in 1974.

In 1991, Iran acquired a license to produce a domestic version of the Konkurs missile, naming it Tosan, and subsequently began its production. From a technical standpoint, the Konkurs has a greater range and superior armor penetration capability compared to the Milan. The Milan system has been widely used by NATO member states, whereas the Konkurs has been favored by countries aligned with Russia or the former Soviet Union.

The Taliban has not disclosed whether the missile system was acquired from foreign suppliers or inherited from the military assets of the previous Afghan government.