Russian air forces started to form Yak-130 aerobatic team, press-service of the Russian Ministry of Defense reported.

«At present the pilots of Borisoglebsk training center of the Air Force Academy named after N.E. Zhukovsky and Y.A. Gagarin are starting to perform advanced aerobatic maneuvers at low and medium altitudes. A total of 9 pilot-instructors have been selected for the team: 6 of them will form the first team and the rest three ones – reserve team», - said in the statement.

The pilots are trained to perform advanced aerobatic maneuvers during group pilotage by the members of Strizhi aerobatic team. The experienced pilots will elaborate techniques for performing the vertical loop, “ukho”, roll and other aerobatic maneuvers at minimum intervals and distances.

Yak-130 is the two-seat next-generation operational trainer intended for pilot training and combat missions performed under normal and severe weather conditions. The jet is capable of destroying ground and air targets, the ministry explained.

This aircraft demonstrates the parameters close to advanced fighters at subsonic speeds in terms of aircraft performance and maneuverability. That is why it is used for training of future pilots of “4+”-generation and fifth-generation fighters. Moreover, it may be operated from unpaved runways.