The Ethiopian Air Force confirmed the induction of at least six Russian-made Yak-130 advanced trainer and light combat aircraft, which are already in operational service. The delivery is believed to have taken place recently as part of a broader military cooperation package with Russia, which could also include the acquisition of Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, although this latter point has not been officially confirmed.
The presence of the Yak-130s became public during the air show marking the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force, held on 23 January, when four aircraft of this type took part in the aerial display broadcast by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.
The aircraft displayed carried tail numbers 2301, 2302, 2303, and 2306, suggesting that the total number of units delivered amounts to six. This hypothesis was reinforced a day later, when a video released by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed showed a Yak-130 bearing the number 2305 flying in formation with three other aircraft over Lake Koka, south of the main air base at Bishoftu.
Satellite imagery of the air complex indicates that the Yak-130s were delivered in early January, as three aircraft were present on 9 January, while none were recorded on 4 January—pointing to a staggered arrival over a short period of time.
Operational role and link to the Sukhoi fleet
The Yak-130 is designed primarily as an advanced trainer, and in Ethiopia it is expected to be used to train pilots destined to operate Sukhoi fighters, particularly aircraft of the Flanker family. However, the model also has light-attack capabilities, which broadens its operational utility.
In this context, Ethiopia had already moved ahead with modernizing its fleet by incorporating Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30K fighters. During the air show for the 88th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force in January 2024, the country showcased two of these aircraft, identified with the serials 2401 and 2402, which took part again in the 2026 event.
According to Russian sources, these Su-30Ks were part of a batch of aircraft originally built for the Indian Air Force between 1997 and 1998, returned to Russia in 2007 and subsequently stored for resale. Angola acquired twelve units in 2013, while six were allocated to Ethiopia, making it the fourth African country to operate this model, alongside Angola, Algeria, and Uganda.
While there had been speculation about the possible delivery to Ethiopia of four additional Su-30Ks from the same batch, there have been no indications that this transfer has taken place so far, as the same two aircraft displayed in 2024 were the only ones observed at the 2026 event.
Air modernization and future outlook
The induction of the Yak-130s is part of a sustained modernization process within the Ethiopian Air Force, which has also included the acquisition of Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci drones. These HALE unmanned systems are capable of operating at altitudes of up to 11,000 metres and remaining airborne for 25 hours, in addition to carrying guided munitions and advanced sensors.
Looking ahead, the Ethiopian government has announced plans to transition toward fifth-generation combat capabilities. During the events marking the Air Force’s 90th anniversary, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated that the country aims to double its fighter aircraft fleet and reach fifth-generation capabilities before 2030. While Ethiopia does not currently operate stealth fighters of this type, industry analysts suggest that Russian platforms such as the Sukhoi Su-57 or the Su-75 Checkmate could be considered to meet these objectives.
In this context, the delivery and entry into service of the Yak-130s represents a key intermediate step in pilot training and in consolidating an air force with enhanced technical and operational capabilities.
*Image credits to the respective owners.
*Translated by Constanza Matteo
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