THE Yak-130M prototype aircraft piloted by the crew of 1st Class Test Pilot Alexander Guskov and Distinguished Test Pilot Andrey Voropayev completed its maiden flight at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a subsidiary of the Yakovlev company. According to Guskov, the flight lasted approximately 50 minutes at altitudes of up to 2,000m and at speeds of up to 600km per hour. The flight plan was implemented in full and there are no issues with the aircraft.ues with the aircraft.
“The maiden flight of the Yak-130M is an important milestone in the development program for domestic combat training aircraft.” “The aircraft combines modern technologies, advanced functionality, and high potential for solving a wide range of tasks for the customer,” said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Gennady Abramenkov.
The Yak-130M is a modernised 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. It 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 (AAM) and the KAB-250LG-E and K08BE guided bombs for engaging ground and surface targets. In November 2025, United Aircraft Corporation (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.
“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 modernisation 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 (UAV),” emphasised UAC CEO Vadim Badekha.
