The experimental Yak-130M aircraft performed its first flight
The first flight of the Yak-130M experimental aircraft took place at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of PJSC "Yakovlev" (part of the Rostec State Corporation's Aviation Industry Corporation). The aircraft was piloted by a crew consisting of 1st class test pilot Alexander Guskov and Honored Test Pilot Andrey Voropaev.
According to Alexander Guskov's report, the flight lasted about 50 minutes and took place at altitudes up to 2000 meters and speeds up to 600 km/h. The flight mission was fully completed, and there were no technical issues.
“The first flight of the Yak-130M is an important stage in the development program of domestic combat-training aviation. The aircraft combines modern technologies, expanded functional capabilities, and high potential for solving a wide range of tasks in the interests of the customer,” said Gennady Abramenkov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
The Yak-130M is a modernized combat-training aircraft with enhanced combat capabilities. It was created on the basis of the Yak-130 aircraft, which is operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the air forces of a number of European, Asian, and African countries.
“Externally, it's the familiar Yak-130, but in terms of its characteristics, it's a completely new aircraft that takes into account the requirements of today, real combat experience, and the prospects for the development of combat aviation. It has advanced onboard systems, a modern radar, and a serious set of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. Now it's 'two in one': not just a combat-training aircraft, but actually a full-fledged light fighter, significantly surpassing the capabilities of its predecessor,” noted Rostec.
“The modernization will allow to fully solve training and combat tasks in any weather conditions, day and night, at the level of modern aviation complexes. Among the combat tasks of the Yak-130M are the destruction of ground and air targets, including heavy-class unmanned aerial vehicles,” emphasized Vadim Badeha, General Director of the United Aircraft Corporation.
In November 2025, the Aviation Industry Corporation and "Rosoboronexport" presented a prototype of the Yak-130M aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Interest in acquiring the aircraft was shown by states that already operate Yak-130 aircraft and new customers planning to replenish their air force with modern aircraft.
