Iranian Yak-130 Trainer Jet Modified for Combat, Fires Missile during Drill

The Iranian Air Force has modified the Yak-130 trainer jet for combat, firing a missile to destroy a target drone during the Zolfaqar 1403 tri-service war games in southwestern Iran.

A Yak-130 jet flew alongside two MiG-29 fighter jets during an aerial operation, intercepting and shooting down a drone with advanced missiles. The exercise, involving the Iranian Army’s Ground Force, Air Force, Navy, and Air Defense, spans from the northern Indian Ocean to the Makran coasts in southeastern Iran.

Iran acquired the Yak-130 from Russia in 2013, marking the latest fighter jet in its fleet alongside older MiG-29 aircraft. In September 2023, Iran received its first batch of Russian-made Yak-130 jet trainers.

The Yak-130, developed by Russia’s Yakovlev and Aermacchi, is a subsonic two-seat jet trainer and light combat aircraft. It enables Iranian military pilots to train for 4+ and fifth-generation fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-57.

Iran and Russia have increased their military cooperation through major trade and defense agreements. Iran has not acquired new fighter aircraft in recent years beyond the Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters purchased in the 1990s.