Russian Air Force Receives New Equipment: Yak-130M Fighter Can Attack Drones and Conduct Assaults on Defensive Fortifications

The Yakovlev Design Bureau has developed a light fighter aircraft, becoming a "new competitor" to the Su-35 and MiG-29.

Russia has completed the assembly of the first batch of Yak-130M trainer fighter jets. This aircraft, developed by engineers from the Yakovlev Design Bureau, is now preparing for flight tests.

The Yak-130 is not a new model, but its latest improved version has significantly expanded its combat capabilities — it has transformed from a "aircraft trainer" into a fully functional tactical unit. After modernization, the Yak-130M can carry "air-to-air" missiles, as well as "air-to-ground" precision strike weapons equipped with satellite and laser guidance systems.

The Russian Technologies Group (Rostec) stated: "At the same time, this aircraft still retains all the teaching functions for training pilots for fourth-generation and fifth-generation aircraft."

One of the core missions of the improved Yak-130 is to counter the main threats in modern military conflicts — drones. This new version will be able to destroy enemy "swarm drones".

What new changes will this fighter bring to the Russian military aviation field? What are the expectations of the military for it during the special military operation (СВО)? To answer these questions, "Svobodnaya Pressa" (СП) interviewed aviation expert, former Sukhoi Design Bureau engineer, candidate of technical sciences Vadim Lukashovich.

Interview with Vadim Lukashovich

"The idea of developing such trainer fighter jets has been mature in the aviation industry. The development of the Yak-130 began in the late Soviet period, mainly to replace the Czech L-39 'Albatross' trainer. During the development process, there was cooperation with Italian parties."

"The platform design of the Yak-130 is very successful and has also received international recognition. Now, in addition to educational purposes, the development team decided to expand its combat functions — that is, it has become a trainer aircraft capable of participating in actual combat. This aircraft is easy to operate, lightweight, and features a two-seat design, accommodating one pilot and one instructor."

"Svobodnaya Pressa": How can the new version of the Yak-130 be used in the special military operation?

"The advantage of this aircraft is that it can undertake air target interception tasks, especially against drones. If we use our multi-purpose super-maneuverable aircraft Su-35 to intercept drones, the cost would be too high and not worth it."

"Intercepting drones requires a lighter aircraft to be able to approach the front line for combat."

"The SOLT-130K electro-optical laser thermal imaging system installed on the Yak-130M allows the crew to detect and identify ground and water surface targets. In other words, the Yak-130M has all the performance of a combat aircraft."

"Svobodnaya Pressa": What position will the new version of the Yak-130 occupy in the Russian military aviation system? What tasks will the military assign to it?

"The current combat mode is changing; tanks are often replaced by motorized assault groups; the same is true in the aviation field — the use of air power now needs to be closely coordinated with air defense systems, and the Yak-130M will take on such tasks."

"I think that the improved Yak-130 will be a strong complement to the Su-34 and MiG-29 aircraft in the special military operation. At the beginning of the special military operation, we used the Su-34 and MiG-29 extensively, but now their usage frequency has clearly decreased — because there are almost no large-scale aerial battles anymore."

Regarding the question of "what improvements the Russian Air Force will gain after the introduction of the new version of the Yak-130 into the special military operation" and "based on the experience of the special military operation, what gaps still exist in the current Russian air force", "Svobodnaya Pressa" interviewed Colonel Vladimir Popov, a retired Russian Air Force officer and honored military pilot.

Interview with Vladimir Popov

"The new version of the Yak-130M can directly participate in combat or provide air support for ground operations. There are currently about 200 Yak-130 series aircraft in service with the Russian military. In my opinion, this type of aircraft will perform excellently in frontline combat."

"It is a light fighter aircraft, lighter than the MiG-29, and much lighter than the Su-35. The new version of the Yak-130 can not only shoot down drones but also drop precision-guided bombs (KAБ). In the special military operation, it can also be used as a forward bomber (ЛБС)."

"Svobodnaya Pressa": What is the maximum flight speed of the new version of the Yak-130? What weapons can the aircraft carry?

"One of the advantages of the Yak-130 is its excellent acceleration performance, with a maximum speed of 1050 kilometers per hour. However, in actual flight, the speed is usually kept below 850 kilometers per hour to save fuel. In this flight mode, the aircraft's endurance time can reach 1.5 hours."

"The cockpit of the Yak-130 is sealed, so it cannot be used inside the cabin with light weapons. When operating, the aircraft can use cannon weapons. Specifically, the maximum weapon load of the Yak-130M is 3 tons, and the weapons it can carry include: conventional aviation bombs, precision-guided bombs, and pods equipped with 23mm cannons."

"In addition, the combat version of the Yak-130M can also carry 'air-to-air' guided missiles, rocket launchers of various calibers, electronic warfare pods, and 30mm cannon pods."

"Svobodnaya Pressa": Based on the experience of the special military operation, which types of aircraft will the Russian Air Force focus on developing in the near future?

"I recently read an analysis report by an American military expert, which pointed out that Russia has chosen the right direction — instead of mass-producing fifth-generation aircraft, it has focused on the Su-34 and Su-35, as these two models best meet the needs of modern combat tactics."

"However, the Su-34 and Su-35 have a shortcoming: insufficient stealth performance. But we have found a solution — using electronic warfare equipment for camouflage, making it impossible for the enemy to detect our aircraft."

"If I were to talk about the types of aircraft that Russia still needs to supplement in the near future, I would mention the MiG-31 aircraft equipped with the 'Kinzhal' hypersonic aviation missile system, as well as the variable-sweep wing long-range supersonic missile bomber Tu-22M3. The Tu-22M3 can use guided missiles and aviation bombs to attack sea and land targets."

"Additionally, the Russian fourth-generation multi-purpose front-line supersonic fighter-bomber Su-34 should not be overlooked."

"I believe that the Yak-130M will smoothly integrate into the Russian air force system. Considering its ability to shoot down drones, it is possible that the military will incorporate it into the air defense system and assign it special tasks."

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