Moscow and Damascus have signed new contract on delivery of 36 Yak-130 operational trainers, Kommersant reports. The implementation of contract will be started straight after delivery of advance payment by Syria.

A source close to Rosoboronexport told us about the signing of contract on deliveries of Yak-130 aircraft. According to him, the parties have performed precontractual work in December and then signed the final contract. The amount of the deal is estimated at $550 million (about $15,3 million per vehicle).

As noted by the source, the workload of Irkutsk aviation plant (forms part of Irkut Corporation) will allow performance of this contract in a short time. "In spite of enterprise’s workload caused by manufacturing 55 Yak-130s in accordance with state defense order, it is quite possible to manufacture 36 more vehicles for the foreign customer, — said the source.— When Syria delivers advance payment to Russia, the plant will start the assembly of the second batch for Damascus". Syrian air forces have been training their pilots using L-39 Albatros.

Rosoboronexport and Irkut Corporation have declined any official comments.