Who Lost More Weapons—America in Afghanistan or Russia in Syria?

Although Russia and the United States have suffered major military casualties as a result of client state collapses in Syria and Afghanistan, the extent and kind of these losses differ. As their client governments fell apart, both countries were had to discard enormous numbers of weapons; yet, a closer inspection indicates which superpower suffered most.

Beginning during the Cold War, the Russo- Syrian military alliance is based on the Soviet Union's huge armament arsenal—including tanks, missiles, artillery, and aircraft—which Syria received. From 1950 to 1991, Soviet weapons accounted for 94% of Syria's imports—including 20 bombers, 250 fighter jets, over 2,500 tanks, and thousands of anti-tank and surface-to--air missiles. Syria's military arsenal was considerable as the Syrian Civil War got underway in 2011: 700 aircraft, 5,000 tanks, and 4,000 armored vehicles.

Still, a good portion of this military gear was destroyed in battle or taken by opposition forces. The Syrian Arab Army reportedly lost at least 3,380 tanks and armored vehicles between 2011 and 2020. Russia brought extra tanks, fighter planes, and tactical missiles to cover these losses. Nevertheless, Russian and Syrian forces suffered a significant setback when Syrian rebels—including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—grabbed a lot of weapons during their latest attack. These comprised at least 150 tanks, 75 artillery pieces, 69 infantry fighting vehicles, many rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns.

Furthermore lessening Syria's military might were Israel's air attacks in December 2024 Claiming to have destroyed 70–80% of Assad's military reserves, including fighter planes, air defense systems, and Scud missiles, Israeli officials said Should these assertions be valid, Syria's military capacity has been drastically diminished, therefore reducing the strategic worth of the left-over weaponry.

With an estimated $7 billion worth of U.S. military hardware seized by the Taliban, the U.S. departed from Afghanistan in August 2021 left behind significant military assets. Ground vehicles, including humvees, and military planes left behind totaled $4.12 billion according to U.S. government watchdogs. There were 40,000 vehicles, 300,000 light guns, and 1.5 million rounds of ammunition left overall in equipment.

The Afghan Air Force had 131 remaining operable aircraft out of 162 U.S.-provided aircraft at the time the Taliban seized control. Most of these, meanwhile, were either transported to nearby nations or destroyed during the pullout. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the Taliban today possesses a working air force made largely of U.S. and Soviet-era aircraft, which they have employed for troop transports and cargo deliveries.

The expensive cost of shipping some equipment home and its rather low military worth contributed significantly to the U.S. defeats in Afghanistan. More of the equipment left behind was meant for domestic security than for broad warfare. Although American weapons have proliferated the area—used in wars in areas such Gaza, Pakistan, and Kashmir—their value is often less than that of Russia's stockpile in Syria.

Although both Russia and the United States lost significant numbers of weapons, the background of these losses points another direction. Mostly, the United States left behind light guns and armored vehicles geared for internal security. Although valuable for the Taliban in their own territory, these objects are less likely to be strategically important in next wars against more competent enemies.

Russia's losses in Syria, on the other hand, included a far more significant arsenal of advanced weaponry—military hardware that would be valuable in any future conflict, especially given Russia's current need for such systems in its ongoing war with Ukraine. Tanks, fighter aircraft, and surface-to--air missiles were among these systems. The loss of these weapons along with the consequences of Israel's most recent air attacks has probably done a more severe damage to Russia's military capacity.

With an estimated $7 billion worth of gear seized by the Taliban, the United States left behind more weaponry in Afghanistan, raw numbers wise. Still, the weaponry Russia lost in Syria—especially modern combat vehicles and aircraft—have significantly more strategic worth. Russia's losses particularly in view of its present confrontation with Ukraine affect its future military actions more negatively. Although both countries suffered major losses, Russia's military losses in Syria have been more severe in terms of both count and caliber.