Russia's Irkutsk Aviation Plant has secured its first foreign contracts for the modernized Yak-130M combat trainer aircraft, general director Andrey Soynov announced on September 29, 2026.
In comments reported by Russian news agency Interfax, Soynov confirmed that foreign clients have already signed deals for the upgraded aircraft. He noted that the aircraft was recently showcased in Egypt, where it generated substantial interest, and confirmed that technical and commercial proposals are currently being prepared for potential Egyptian buyers.
Soynov stated that the manufacturer expects international demand for the twin-seat jet to increase, prompting the facility to plan a structural reorganization of its assembly lines to expand production capacity.
Upgraded combat trainer capabilities
The Yak-130M is an updated variant of Russia's standard jet trainer, featuring upgraded operational and defensive systems. Yakovlev test pilot Alexander Guskov previously reported that the Yak-130M will be equipped with the President defense suite, an airborne self-protection complex engineered to defend military aircraft against infrared missile guidance systems and anti-aircraft weapons.
State defense conglomerate Rostec also announced in September that the upgraded combat trainer has demonstrated the ability to engage and destroy low-speed airborne targets at any time of day or night during operational tests.
Role of the Yak-130 aircraft and manufacturer
The Irkutsk Aviation Plant is based in the Siberian city of Irkutsk and operates as a manufacturing branch of the Yakovlev aircraft company, which is part of Russia's state-owned technology and defense conglomerate Rostec. The plant is one of the country's primary aerospace production hubs, building military jet trainers, multirole fighter aircraft, and commercial airliner components.
The baseline Yakovlev Yak-130 is a twin-engine subsonic aircraft designed to prepare military flight cadets for advanced fourth-generation and fifth-generation combat fighters. The aircraft functions both as a training platform and as a light attack jet capable of carrying guided weaponry, reconnaissance equipment, and air-to-ground munitions.
The President onboard defense suite, developed by Russian defense electronics manufacturers, automatically detects incoming missile threats and deploys directional electronic jamming and flares to neutralize laser and radar guidance systems, enhancing the survivability of the aircraft in hostile airspace.
