Two years after it was first unveiled, the Yak-130M gentle assault plane has carried out its first flight as Russia aggressively pushes the jet and different fighters for worldwide gross sales.
The Yakovlev Yak-130M, the sunshine assault variant of the superior jet coach plane, made its maiden flight on Jun. 25, 2026, from the Irkut Company Sokol Plane Plant, the United Plane Company (UAC) introduced. UAC unveiled the primary prototype of the brand new variant in 2024, and a second prototype, ‘002’, in October 2025.
Studies point out a complete of three prototypes have been deliberate earlier than the plane entered manufacturing. The present plane bears the serial 13014000001, as seen on the left cheek, and sports activities a yellow manufacturing facility primer.
The Yak-130M prototype with BRLS-130R AESA radar. pic.twitter.com/aZmr723tIV
— New Gen Fighters (@GenFighters) October 10, 2025
The plane enters a extremely aggressive coach and lightweight fighter market dominated by the South Korean FA-50 (the sunshine assault variant of the T-50); Boeing T-7A Crimson Hawk (which nevertheless has but not been weaponized); the Turkish Hürjet; and the Italian M-346. The usual Yak-130 is already utilized by Russia, Myanmar, Belarus, Algeria and Iran.
The Yak-130M fight coach plane made its first flight.🗺️ Irkutsk area.🎥TV report “VGTRK” (June 25) pic.twitter.com/OM4MV7d25X
— Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) June 25, 2026
First flight
In accordance with varied accounts quoting the UAC assertion from its Telegram channel, the maiden flight was carried out by 1st Class Check Pilot Alexander Guskov and Distinguished Check Pilot Andrey Voropaev lasted 50 minutes. The plane, which was additionally fitted with underwing pylons, flew at an altitude of two,000 meters and touched a most pace of 600 km/hour.
The devoted gentle assault fighter sports activities a variety of recent sensors, mission methods, defensive and electronics suites appropriate for the function. These embrace the BRLS-130R Lively Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar; the SOLT-130K optical concentrating on pod with CCD, laser designation, monitoring and thermal imaginative and prescient modules; the President-S130 onboard protection advanced with a Missile Strategy Warning System, Radar Warning Receivers, energetic jammer and a countermeasure dispenser; and the KSS-130 encrypted radio communication system.
“The mixing of recent onboard methods will permit the Yak-130M for use for coaching and fight functions across the clock and in troublesome climate circumstances,” the UAC beforehand stated.
A Rostec bejelentette hogy az új Yak-130M kiképző gép végre hajtotta első tesztelését. A gépet az 1. osztályú tesztpilóta Alekszandr Guszkov, és a többszörösen kitüntetett tesztpilóta Andrej Voropajev vezette. A gép 50 percig volt a levegőben, ezalatt elérve a 2000 méteres… pic.twitter.com/Z6ERP5zUd9
— Zsiguli🇭🇺 (@GZsgallos2007) June 25, 2026
TASS quoted Voropayev after the take a look at flight: “On the very outset, enormous potential was included into the plane by these individuals who developed the Yak-130. The plane has been renewed to satisfy trendy necessities. We are able to say that the plane’s tools has been renewed by greater than 50%.”
The report additionally quoted UAC’s CEO Vadym Badekha saying the Yak-130M improve can “totally tackle” all coaching and fight duties “in any climate circumstances, day and night time on the degree of recent plane platforms.” He additional added “the Yak-130M’s fight goals embrace destroying floor and aerial targets, amongst them heavy-class unmanned aerial autos.”
The Yak-130M is able to serving not solely as a detailed air assist (CAS) platform and a cheap successor to the Su-25, but additionally, because of its superior AESA radar, as an airborne air-defense platform in opposition to drones and cruise missiles. pic.twitter.com/8iqZIKPn98
— H. Memarian (@HEMemarian) June 25, 2026
Russian plane export plans
The primary flight additionally follows the timeline set by Public Joint Inventory Firm (PJSC) Yakovlev (or the Yakovlev Design Bureau) managing director Vasily Prutkovsky in April. Prutkovsky stated the primary take a look at flight would happen by June this yr, reflecting the urgency within the Russian administration to show well timed progress and safe worldwide orders.
Yakovlev PJSC:The primary take a look at flight of the Yak-130M fight coach plane will happen in June of this yr. pic.twitter.com/nmaoSMjmr5
— Massimo Frantarelli (@MrFrantarelli) April 3, 2026
The identical concerted effort is being seen within the Su-57 Felon and the Su-75 Checkmate. The Felon, which was not too long ago unveiled in its twin-seater variant, has been aggressively marketed in protection exhibitions and even examined with upgraded engines, at a time when Russia has not landed any massive ticket protection deal.
Algeria can be a Su-57 and Su-34 Fullback confirmed buyer, after the plane have been noticed within the nation, beside being a Yak-130 consumer. One of many Su-34s has been incessantly noticed in desert camouflage.
The New Algerian Su-34, Algeria is quickly creating its military, air drive, and navy, with Russian tools, the modernization consists of fighter-bombers, fight autos, coastal patrol boats, and there’s additionally curiosity within the Su-57. pic.twitter.com/jW3ytLIAa8
— Zsiguli🇭🇺 (@GZsgallos2007) October 15, 2025
The Su-34 itself has been rolled out within the ‘NVO’ variant, incorporating classes from the continuing operations in opposition to Ukraine. It’s distinguished by a small ‘hump’ on the backbone, believed to be a satellite tv for pc hyperlink.
The Yak-130M’s parallel improvement to those fighters recommend Russia is pitching these plane as complementary coaching and operational methods, and to make a mark in overseas weapons gross sales.
