On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Russian state corporation Rostec announced that its subsidiary United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) conducted the maiden flight of the first prototype of the Yak-130M light combat aircraft, a development of the Yak-130 jet trainer/light combat aircraft (NATO reporting name: Mitten).
Photos: UAC
Final assembly of the aircraft began in February 2025 and was completed in October, following which preparations for ground trials commenced.
The aircraft made its maiden flight from the factory airfield of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant (Irkutskiy Aviatsionnyy Zavod, IAZ) in Irkutsk, belonging to the A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau (part of Rostec). The crew consisted of first-class test pilot Alexander Guskov and honored test pilot Andrei Voropayev.
According to Alexander Guskov, the flight lasted approximately 50 minutes and was conducted at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters and speeds of up to 600 km/h. The flight was completed in full, with no issues reported regarding the aircraft’s performance.
“The first flight of the Yak-130M represents an important milestone in the development of Russian jet trainer/combat aircraft. The aircraft combines modern technology, expanded functionality, and high potential to meet the wide range of missions performed by customers,” said Gennady Abramencov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
The Yak-130M is a modernized jet trainer/combat aircraft with expanded combat capabilities. It is based on the Yak-130 model, which is operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in numbers exceeding 123 units (14 on order and 5 lost in accidents), with 10 ordered by Russian Naval Aviation, and by the air forces of several export customers: Algeria (18 delivered), Belarus (12 delivered, one lost in an accident), Bangladesh (16 ordered, 4 lost in accidents), Ethiopia (6 delivered, 4 on order), Iran (12 delivered, one shot down by Israel), Laos (4 of 10 delivered, one lost in an accident), Myanmar (18), Syria (36 ordered, but deliveries suspended due to the civil war), and Vietnam (12 delivered, two lost in accidents).
“It looks like the familiar Yak-130, but its characteristics are entirely new, taking into account today’s requirements, real combat experience, and the future of combat aviation. It features advanced onboard systems, a modern radar, and a comprehensive weapons suite covering air-to-air and air-to-ground armament. It is now two-in-one: not just a trainer, but a fully capable light fighter, significantly surpassing the capabilities of its predecessor,” noted Rostec.
The modernization will enable it to fully perform training and combat missions in all weather conditions, day and night, at the level of modern aviation systems. “The Yak-130M’s combat missions include the destruction of ground and aerial targets, including heavy unmanned aerial vehicles,” emphasized Vadim Badiekha, Director General of UAC.
In November 2025, UAC and OAO RosoboronExport presented the Yak-130M prototype during the Dubai Airshow 2025 in the United Arab Emirates. Countries already operating the Yak-130, as well as new customers planning to expand their air force fleets with modern aircraft, expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft.
Vasily Prutkovsky, Director of the A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau, announced plans at that time to prepare three Yak-130M prototypes for flight by the end of 2026, and also announced an extension of the test program through 2028.
Yak-130M at Dubai Air Show 2025 / Photos: MILMAG Archive
The Yak-130M is equipped with the AL-222-25 engine with increased thrust, produced by the United Engine Corporation, part of Rostec. This serially produced, non-afterburning turbojet engine delivers a thrust of 2,500 kgf (24.5 kN) at maximum power with reduced fuel consumption. A digital automatic control and monitoring system ensures high reliability of the powerplant.
The Yak-130M has also received the BRLS-130R radar with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna, the Prezident-S130 self-protection system from the L370 Vitebsk family, a new SOLT-130K electro-optical system, and a modified KSS-130 communications and data exchange subsystem.
Plans call for the integration of a wide range of available weapons with the aircraft, while retaining the advanced training function for future pilots of 4th and 5th generation multirole aircraft.
Обновленный Як-130 встал на крыло
Сегодня в воздух впервые поднялся опытный учебно-боевой самолет Як-130М. Его первый полет продлился 50 минут. Машина штатно выполнила все маневры на высотах до 2 километров..
Полный текст в МАХ:https://t.co/8GW6gYes5P pic.twitter.com/VgCwDMHYQ7
— Александр Коц (@sashakots) June 25, 2026