Russian media: Russia's new Yak-130 trainer aircraft completes its maiden flight

Reference News Network reported on July 4 According to TASS on June 25, the Russian National Technology Group announced that the improved Yak-130M trainer aircraft has completed its maiden flight at the Irkutsk Aircraft Manufacturing Plant airport.

It is reported that the Yak-130M is an upgraded version of the Yak-130 trainer aircraft. The development of the Yak-130 began in 1992, as Russia aimed to replace the outdated Czech L-39 Albatros trainer, whose performance was no longer sufficient to meet pilot training needs. The prototype of the Yak-130 first took to the skies on April 25, 1996.

The Yak-130 is a twin-seat, twin-engine aircraft with a maximum flight speed of up to 1,060 kilometers per hour (close to the speed of sound), a maximum takeoff weight slightly over 10 tons, and a maximum combat load of no more than 3 tons. With external fuel tanks, the Yak-130 has a range of up to 2,100 kilometers. As a true combat aircraft, the Yak-130 is equipped with ejection seats that function normally at any speed and altitude conditions.

The Yak-130 is the world's first trainer aircraft that can be used to train pilots for fourth and fifth generation fighter jets, with flight performance similar to modern combat aircraft flying at subsonic speeds. It features a digital fly-by-wire control system that can simulate the flight dynamic parameters of other aircraft types.

Dmitry Popov, the deputy chief designer of the Yak-130 project, pointed out: "The development of the Yak-130M is based on the analysis and summary of the experience of combat aircraft participating in local and regional conflicts. Developing a light combat aircraft based on a trainer aircraft aligns with the global trends in military aircraft development." The concept model of the Yak-130M will be publicly unveiled for the first time at the International Military Forum held in Russia in 2024. At that time, the Irkutsk Aircraft Manufacturing Plant had already begun assembling the test prototype of this model.

According to Popov, the modifications to the Yak-130 primarily aim to enhance combat performance. To this end, the new model is equipped with components that integrate optical, laser, thermal imaging, and television modules, as well as a self-defense system. The modernized onboard communication system helps the Yak-130M exchange tactical data with other aircraft and ground command posts. The newly installed targeting system improves the accuracy of guided and unguided weapon strikes. The types of onboard weapons available have also increased. Now, the Yak-130M can deploy glide bombs with laser and satellite guidance capabilities, can be equipped with cannons, and can carry up to 16 aerial bombs using multiple hardpoints.

The maiden flight of the Yak-130M was completed by Russian first-class test pilot Alexander Gusekov and honored test pilot Andrei Voropayev.

Voropayev stated that more than half of the equipment on the Yak-130 has been upgraded on the Yak-130M. Gusekov noted that the Yak-130M responded normally during the test flight.

Alexander Mikheyev, general manager of the Russian Defense Products Export Company, stated in November 2025 that the company believes the overseas sales prospects for the Yak-130M are good, and some countries in Asia and Africa may purchase this model. He also mentioned that Russia may upgrade the already produced Yak-130s to the Yak-130M. (Translated by Liu Yang)