Absolutely. The cartridge greatly exceeds anything done by the .50 BMG, and was quite common in the region.
In fact it is about twice as powerful as the .50 BMG.
I seem to recall the mujahideen using them to great effect against the Soviet helicopters during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Armored helicopters which could absorb a lot of fire from the 12.7x108 (.50 BMG equivalent) were brought down much easier with the 14.5 KPV.
As a result the 14.5 guns were much more desired, and it is likely widespread over there now. Especially considering many of the same people once fighting the soviets and armed with such weapons are now who the US is facing.
Quick search brought up some rather interesting images of those fighters during the Afghan Soviet war and which along with captured weapons of the Soviet backed government which fell is likely the source of many arms possessed by all sides in Afghanistan today (linked from some less than highroad website the search engine stumbled on.)
Here is some with the 14.5 and the 12.7:
(14.5)
(12.7)
(12.7)
(12.7)
The weapons and tactics used by our old mujahideen allies against the soviets are worth noting as tactics they are well trained in and can employ against US forces today.
Like this rocket attack being prepared:
IEDS and land mines, and similar booby traps were the number one killer of Soviet troops in Afghanistan. They were especially devastating in the mountainous regions of the Afghanistan/Pakistan border where armor is nearly impossible to use and troops had to use much lighter vehicles or go on foot.
Last edited: