The trainer received advanced airborne systems, radar, and a powerful weapons system, and can be used as a lightweight fighter

Photo: United Aircraft Corporation

The Yak-130М has made its maiden flight at Irkutsk aircraft factory, Yakovlev branch (included in Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation). The flight lasted approximately 50 minutes at altitudes up to 2000 m and speeds up to 600 km/h. The flight mission has been completely fulfilled, no findings have been identified.

The Yak-130М is a modernized trainer with advanced fighting capabilities. It is based on the Yak-130, which is being used by the Russian Air Force and Air Forces in several European, Asian and African countries. 

“Visually, it is the well-known Yak-130, but in terms of performance it is a brand-new aircraft that encompasses today’s requirements, real combat experience and combat aviation development prospects. It has got advanced airborne systems, a modern radar and powerful weapons system, including air-to-air and air-to-surface air munitions. It is now a two-in-one: not just a trainer, but actually a fully functional lightweight fighter with much better capabilities compared with its predecessor,” said Rostec’s representatives. 

“Modernization will enable the aircraft to fulfill training and combat missions in any weather conditions, by day and night, at the level of modern aircraft systems. Destroyed ground and air targets, including heavy-lift UAVs, are among the Yak-130M’s combat missions. 

UAC and Rosoboronexport demonstrated the Yak-130M prototype at Dubai Airshow 2025 in November 2025. Countries that are already using the Yak-130 and new customers looking to add modern aircraft to their air force fleet have expressed their interest in purchasing the aircraft.