Mentioned:United Aircraft CorporationYakovlev
The third prototype of Russia's Yak-130M armed trainer completed its maiden flight at Irkutsk Aviation Plant with test pilots at the controls. The additional test aircraft supports Russia's plan to deliver the upgraded light combat jet starting in 2028.
What's happening
- Third Yak-130M prototype, side number 137, flew at Irkutsk with pilots Oleg Mutovin and Alexander Guskov completing full test plan with all systems nominal.
- First prototype flew June 25, 2026; second prototype rolled out October 2025; three test aircraft total were planned from inception.
- Upgraded airframe carries BRLS-130R active electronically scanned array radar, KSS-130 comms suite, SOLT-130K targeting pod, and President-S130 self-protection system.
- Vietnam signed contract for 18 Yak-130M aircraft, announced July 2026 during visit by Vladimir Putin to Irkutsk Aviation Plant.
Why it matters
- Third test aircraft accelerates flight test completion on schedule, reducing program risk and enabling production ramp to 2028 delivery start.
- Export sale to Vietnam demonstrates Russian ability to sustain light combat aircraft production and export despite Western sanctions on aerospace.
- Yak-130M repositions trainer airframe as multi-role platform: day-night guided weapons delivery, drone interception, and air-to-air combat role.
- Vietnam contract signals demand for affordable light combat platforms in Southeast Asian market and establishes customer base for follow-on orders.
Going deeper
- Yak-130 trainer is two-seat subsonic jet used by Russian military to train pilots for fourth and fifth generation fighters; Yak-130M retains engines and airframe.
- Rostec pitched Yak-130M for drone-hunting role with satellite and laser-guided munitions capability, adding air-to-air missiles to existing ground attack portfolio.
- Mock-up shown at Army-2024 forum near Moscow; UAC stated goal was to increase export competitiveness in markets closed to Russian combat aircraft.
- Yakovlev test pilots Andrey Voropaev and Alexander Guskov flew prior sorties; June 2026 first flight lasted approximately 50 minutes.
The fine print
- UAC did not disclose specific first customer identity or total production quantity beyond Vietnam's 18 aircraft contract.
- Delivery timeline of 2028 is stated as start point; quantity and cadence of subsequent Vietnam deliveries not specified.
- Flight date for third prototype stated only as 'recent days' prior to October 11, 2026 announcement; exact date undisclosed.
Source: defence-blog.com · Oct 11, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
