Russia Doubles Down on Arms: Second Yak-130M Combat Aircraft Completed

Russia has completed assembly of the second experimental prototype of the modernized Yak-130M combat training aircraft. The upgraded jet will be capable of carrying and deploying a wide range of air-launched weapons.

According to the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the new aircraft will soon join ground and flight testing, while work on a third prototype is already underway.

The Yakovlev company is developing the Yak-130M combat trainer as part of experimental design and development work.

The Yak-130M is being developed from the Yak-130, whose characteristics enable it to train pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets.

The main goal of the upgrade is to expand the aircraft’s combat capabilities. The Yak-130M can be armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles for participation in combat operations.

The developers claim that integration of new onboard systems will allow the aircraft to be used for both training and combat missions around the clock and in difficult weather conditions.

The Yak-130M has been fitted with the BRLS-130R radar, the SOLT-130K optical–laser thermal-imaging system, the President-S130 onboard self-defense suite, and the KSS-130 communications suite.

Recently, the first prototype of the aircraft, intended for ground and flight testing, was assembled at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.

During ground tests, new and upgraded systems are checked to confirm the claimed technical specifications.