The Director General of Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, stated during Airshow China 2024 that Southeast Asia has shown interest in the recently unveiled russian modernization of the Yak-130M training aircraft, which was first presented at the Army-2024 exhibition earlier this summer.
While russia has not disclosed which countries are interested in the modernization or purchase of these aircraft, several nations in the region, such as Laos and Myanmar, currently operate the Yak-130. At the same time, russia is marketing the upgraded Yak-130M for export as a light attack aircraft. The russians themselves have previously referred to the modernized Yak-130M as a potential replacement for the Su-25 attack aircraft.
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It should be noted that testing of the Yak-130M prototype was originally planned for this year. Given frequent delays in such developments, the true export potential of this aircraft remains uncertain. The modernized Yak-130M is equipped with the BRLS-130R airborne radar station, the SOLT-130K optical-laser thermal imaging system, the President-S130 airborne defense system, and the KSS-130 communications suite.
Additionally, the aircraft will feature air-to-air missiles and high-precision air-to-ground weapons with satellite and laser guidance systems.
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