The US military has not wanted to specify how many weapons fell into the hands of the enemy.
But there are numbers that give a clue.
According to Sigar, the US authority that oversaw the reconstruction of Afghanistan, the United States provided the Afghan army with nearly 600,000 small arms and more than 200 air vehicles, including Black Hawk combat helicopters, during the period 2003-2016.
The Taliban are now said to be arming their forces.
Old Russian-made automatic carbines are being replaced by state-of-the-art American M4.
The dark visions that the Taliban have overcome will make a qualitative difference.
according to Ilmari Käihkö.
In addition, they probably have more or less unlimited amounts of ammunition now.
Lacks technical know-how
US military analysts have expressed the view that combat helicopters that the Taliban have come across are more of a trophy than something that will make a difference on the battlefield.
Ilmari Käihkö shares the assessment.
Both technical know-how and spare parts are lacking.
- One should not forget that there are quite a few Afghan pilots who have already fled the country.
They jumped into an airplane and flew to Uzbekistan.
Some helicopters probably made it to the resistance stronghold in Panjshirdalen as well, he says.
The Taliban are also believed to have come across at least 2,000 armored vehicles.
Pictures from Kabul show the movement's warriors patrolling the streets of American Humvees.
- Right now there is a fuel shortage in Afghanistan.
Humvees and unsafe vehicles require a lot of fuel.
They may choose to use pickups instead because they are much more economical, says Ilmari Käihkö.
Salt in US wounds
There are also reports that the Taliban now possess artillery and air defense systems.
The question is whether the movement has the required expertise.
- Pakistan and former Iran have supported the Taliban a lot.
If they get foreign military advisers, they can do a lot, says Ilmari Käihkö.
Another question is whether the movement really needs advanced weapon systems.
Perhaps the images of its warriors posing with American equipment are primarily a way to sprinkle salt on the wounds of the United States - after twenty years of warfare ended with the Taliban ruling once again.
- I wonder if they really need these heavy weapons.
Historically, they have not needed it, says Ilmari Käihkö.
- Right now they have to consolidate their power over the Afghan population, then Kalashnikovs will go a long way.
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Hear more about Sirajuddin Haqqani, Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's supreme leader, and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's co - founder and political leader, in the clip.