According to PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of Rostec State Corporation), on June 25, 2026, the first flight of the first prototype of the upgraded Yak-130M combat training aircraft took place at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, a branch of PJSC Yakovlev (part of the UAC). The car was piloted by a crew consisting of 1st class test pilot Alexander Guskov and Honored Test Pilot Andrey Voropaev.
The first prototype of the upgraded combat training aircraft Yak-130M (serial number 1301400001) in the first flight. Irkutsk, 06/25/2026 (c) United Aircraft Corporation PJSC
According to Alexander Guskov's report, the flight lasted about 50 minutes and took place at altitudes up to 2,000 meters and speeds up to 600 km/h. The flight task was completed completely, there are no comments on the aircraft.
"The first flight of the Yak-130M is an important stage in the development program of the Russian combat training aviation. The aircraft combines modern technologies, advanced functionality and high potential to solve a wide range of tasks in the interests of the customer," said Gennady Abramenkov, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
The Yak-130M is an upgraded combat training aircraft with enhanced combat capabilities. It is based on the Yak-130 aircraft, which is operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Air Forces of several European, Asian and African countries.
"Outwardly, this is a familiar Yak-130, but in terms of its characteristics it is a completely new aircraft, which takes into account the requirements of today, real combat experience and prospects for the development of combat aviation. He received advanced onboard systems, modern radar and a serious range of weapons, including air-to-air and air-to-ground aircraft weapons. Now it's a two-in-one: not just a training aircraft, but actually a full-fledged light fighter, significantly exceeding the capabilities of its predecessor," Rostec noted.
"The modernization will allow us to fully solve training and combat missions in all weather conditions, day and night, at the level of modern aviation complexes. The Yak-130M's combat missions include the destruction of ground and air targets, including heavy-class unmanned aerial vehicles," said Vadim Badekha, Director General of the UAC.
In November 2025, UAC and Rosoboronexport presented a prototype of the Yak-130M aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2025 aviation exhibition. States that already operate Yak-130 aircraft and new customers who plan to replenish the Air Force fleet with modern aircraft have shown interest in acquiring the machines.
The Yak-130M aircraft is equipped with an AI-222-25 engine manufactured by Rostec United Engine Corporation. The serial dual-circuit afterburnerless turbojet engine has a maximum thrust of 2,500 kgf and reduced fuel consumption. The digital automatic control and monitoring system ensures high reliability of the power plant.
On the part of bmpd, we would like to point out that in this way the first prototype of the upgraded Yak-130M combat training aircraft (serial number 1301400001) made its first flight at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant (IAZ). According to known data, this sample was manufactured back in 2024, but then underwent retrofitting and ground tests. It was reported that the experimental Yak-130M series should include three aircraft in total. In October 2025, the UAC announced the completion of the construction of the second prototype of the Yak-130M aircraft, which has not yet taken to the air.
The Yak-130M aircraft has full combat capabilities and is distinguished by the installation of an expanded set of avionics, including the on-board radar station RADAR-130R developed by JSC NPP Radar mms, the SALT-130K optical-laser thermal imaging system, the President-S130 on-board defense complex and the KSS-130 communications complex.
The first prototype of the upgraded combat training aircraft Yak-130M (serial number 1301400001) in the first flight. Irkutsk, 06/25/2026 (c) United Aircraft Corporation PJSC
Video (from) UAC :
