As part of the Zolfaghar-1403 Exercises conducted by Iran, the Iranian Air Force successfully carried out the first launch of an R-73E missile from one of its newly acquired Yak-130 aircraft. These aircraft were purchased from Russia to enhance pilot training capabilities, with the first units delivered in 2023.
The milestone was revealed through a video published this week, in which the aircraft with registration number 7-9700— the first delivered to the Islamic Republic— can be seen taking off to intercept a drone used as a target. Once within firing range, the Yak-130 launched the R-73E missile from its left wing, successfully downing the drone. This marked the first successful operational flight of the platform under the command of an Iranian pilot.
Providing further details, Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh, the spokesperson for the exercises, stated that the event also served to improve the interoperability of the newly acquired platform with other aircraft used by the Iranian Air Force. This is due to the fact that the operation was carried out with the support of two MiG-29 fighters, which were responsible for initially identifying the target before the Yak-130 performed the missile launch.
It is worth recalling that the R-73E missiles are the export variant of the R-73 models originally designed in the former Soviet Union. Production of these missiles began in 1984 for within-visual-range combat. The missile stands out for its high maneuverability and powerful thrust vectoring, as well as its compatibility with the helmet-mounted sights used by Iranian pilots, enabling its use even against targets outside the pilot’s direct line of sight.
In addition to these features, the R-73E is equipped with a highly capable infrared seeker with cryogenic cooling, resistance to electronic countermeasures, and the ability to maintain target lock even if the target deploys flares during evasive maneuvers. Regarding its explosive power, each missile carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing just over 7 kilograms.
Furthermore, while the Yak-130’s primary role is to train future pilots, its participation in these exercises suggests that it may be preparing for a broader range of missions within the Iranian Air Force in the near future. Given the delays in the incorporation of the new Su-35S fighter fleet and the questionable condition of Iran’s F-14, F-4E, and F-5 fleets, the Iranian training aircraft could be deployed for point defense missions at the country’s strategic installations, with nuclear facilities being a notable example.
Finally, it is important to highlight that the Zolfaghar-1403 exercises not only marked the first deployment of the Yak-130 in an operational environment but also included various naval and ground units. As part of this large-scale exercise, several assets were observed in action, including M109 Hoveyzeh 155mm self-propelled howitzers, BM-21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launchers, T-72S tanks, Fateh-class submarines, and BH.7 hovercraft, among a long list of additional elements.
