The Yak-130M prototype aircraft completed its maiden flight at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a subsidiary of the Yakovlev company.
The aircraft was piloted by the crew of 1st Class Test Pilot Alexander Guskov and Distinguished Test Pilot Andrey Voropayev. According to Alexander Guskov, the flight lasted approximately 50 minutes at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters and at speeds of up to 600 kilometers per hour. The flight plan was implemented in full and there are no issues with the aircraft.
“The maiden flight of the Yak-130M is an important milestone in the development program for domestic combat training aircraft,” said Gennady Abramenkov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
“The aircraft combines modern technologies, advanced functionality, and high potential for solving a wide range of tasks for the customer,” he added.
The Yak-130M is a modernized combat trainer with expanded combat capabilities. It is based on the Yak-130, which is operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Air forces of several countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Yak-130M is fitted with state-of-the-art avionics, including an airborne radar, a targeting pod, and the President-S130 self-protection electronic warfare (EW) system. Furthermore, the aircraft’s range of guided air weapons has been expanded. This includes the RVV-MD short-range air-to-air missile and the KAB-250LG-E and K08BE guided bombs for engaging ground and surface targets.
“Outwardly, it resembles the Yak-130, but in its characteristics, it is a completely new aircraft, incorporating today’s requirements, real combat experience, and the future development of combat aviation. It features advanced onboard systems, a modern radar, and a comprehensive weapons suite, including air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Now it’s a two-in-one: not just a trainer, but a fully-fledged light fighter, significantly surpassing the capabilities of its predecessor,” the press office of Rostec state corporation noted.
“The modernization will enable it to fully accomplish training and combat missions in all weather conditions, day and night, at the level of modern aircraft systems. The Yak-130M’s combat missions include the destruction of ground and air targets, including heavy-duty unmanned aerial vehicles,” emphasized Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC).
In November 2025, UAC and Rosoboronexport unveiled the Yak-130M prototype at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Countries already operating Yak-130 aircraft, and new customers planning to add modern aircraft to their Air Force fleets, expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft. (Yury Laskin, Laguk Media; Photo © UAC)
