Irkut Corporation is working through the program of Yak-130 operational trainer further development. According to ARMS-TASS, it has been declared by the president of Irkut Corporation, Alexey Fedorov, at MAKS-2011. 

According to him, if we stop on the currently developed and certified version, the market would be limited. On the other hand, Fedorov noted that “we don’t see a need in development supersonic aircraft on the basis of Yak-130 just like Chinese L-15". "In fact, it does not give a lot for pilot training. While the increase of aircraft’s combat capabilities is surely significant", - he explained. 

The market analysis shows that many countries “including those taking part in local conflicts and the ones that are beware of them, want to have a light strike-fighter equipped with about 3 tons of armament and having a capability of using guided weapons", - the president of Irkut explained. In addition, Yak-130 in his current configuration is capable of carrying up to 3 tons of armament, but mostly dumb one. 

"We are considering export market yet, because the State program in the area of arms has the light strike-fighter, but its layout is still unknown", - Fedorov. 

As for expanding the combat capabilities of Yak-130, it should be carried out in 2 ways, сthe Irkut’s president believes. The first one includes improvement of optical-electronic sighting system for using thermal-vision and laser weapons. "And the second one, which will likely become the second stage, is a radar installation. And then Yak-130 will completely perform its functions – combat and training ones", - a specialist said. "Pilots will be able to train hitting air and ground targets using this aircraft. Its combat capabilities will be significantly expanded", - Fedorov said. 

He also said that Irkut is elaborating two variants of radar installation on Yak-130 – in the nose part of its airframe and in a pod. "We are elaborating both variants, but we will do our best to install it in the nose section", - said the president of Irkut. 

He also reminded that according to the State program in the area of arms until 2015, 60 Yak-130s will be delivered to the Russian air forces. "We hope to start the deliveries of a large batch of Yak-130 aircraft to the Russian Ministry of Defense next year. And we will also continue deliveries to Algeria, which have been started this year in the network of a second contract", - said Fedorov.