Just over a year ago, more precisely in August 2024, Rostec and the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) officially presented the modernized version of the advanced Yak-130 trainer of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). This new variant, designated Yak-130M and developed by the aerospace consortium, incorporates improvements and new systems aimed at keeping the platform up to date in its primary role of training future pilots of the Sukhoi Su-35S and Su-57 fighters. Accordingly, and after confirming earlier this year that production had begun, UAC has now announced that the first prototype is ready to start its ground testing campaign.
Unveiled during the ARMY 2024 exhibition, this new version of the trainer —developed and manufactured by Yakovlev, now part of UAC— integrates new capabilities and equipment into the original platform, such as the BRLS-130R airborne radar, the SOLT-130K optical and thermal imaging system, the President-S130 self-defense suite, and the KSS-130 communications equipment, thus receiving the designation Yak-130M.
Following its public debut in mid-February 2025, the Russian aerospace complex confirmed that production had begun on the first three aircraft. Since then, no further information about the program’s progress had been released until today, when UAC published an official video on its social media channels confirming the completion of the first prototype, paving the way for the upcoming start of ground tests.
Regarding this, UAC stated: “At the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, the first prototype has been built and will undergo ground and flight testing. Meanwhile, two additional units are being assembled.”
As for the capabilities of the modernized Yak-130 variant for the VKS, it was reported that the update enables the advanced trainer to employ “air-to-air missiles and precision-guided air-to-surface weapons equipped with satellite and laser guidance systems. The new aircraft will not only retain all the capabilities required for fighter pilot training but will also acquire the characteristics of a combat aircraft.”
Although no specific dates were mentioned for the start of the flight test campaign, conducting various ground tests—such as propulsion, avionics, landing gear, and taxiing system checks—is an essential step before this first prototype, identified with the code “13014000001”, performs its maiden flight.
Finally, although no details were provided regarding a potential order to equip the Russian Aerospace Forces, or whether the Yak-130 aircraft currently in service will be upgraded to the Yak-130M standard, it is likely that its development responds to a state order from the Russian Ministry of Defense, in line with the ongoing renewal of Russia’s combat aviation fleet, which has recently incorporated aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-57 stealth fighters.
It should also be noted that the aircraft has strong export potential, since the Yak-130 serves as the main advanced trainer for the air forces of Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and, more recently, the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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