Russia Completes Production of Second YAK-130M Prototype

Russia’s Yakovlev Design Bureau, part of Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), has completed production of the second prototype of the Yak-130M combat trainer aircraft.

The new prototype, painted in the pixel camouflage standard for Russian military aviation, will soon begin ground and flight testing.

According to the company, a third Yak-130M prototype is also under construction, while the first prototype—recently completed at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant—is already undergoing tests.

Derived from the Yak-130, the Yak-130M is designed to train pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft and to perform light combat missions. The aircraft’s modernization focuses on improving combat performance and expanding operational flexibility.

The upgraded variant is equipped to carry both air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. It incorporates new onboard systems, including the BRLS-130R airborne radar, SOLT-130K optical-laser-IR-imaging system, President-S130 self-defense suite, and KSS-130 communication complex. These systems enable operations in adverse weather and during both day and night missions.

Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms exporter, has identified potential international interest in the upgraded Yak-130M. “We are currently consulting with several countries in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa regarding its supply. We estimate that the market demand for the new Yak-130M is approximately 40 units. Furthermore, several countries are interested in upgrading their existing Yak-130 trainers,” said Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheev, speaking to RIA Novosti ahead of the Aero India 2025 exhibition.

The aircraft was previously showcased at the Army-2024 forum, where Rostec, UAC, and Rosoboronexport presented it to foreign delegations.