Philippines are taking interest in Yak-130 operational trainers, a representative of Russian delegation at China Airshow — 2012 told RIA Novosti.

"We received an official inquiry regarding Yak-130. They liked our vehicles. Russia will take part in the tender of Philippine Ministry of Defense on delivery of operational trainers. South Korea is also participating in this tender. We hope that our proposal will be more profitable", — the source noted.

Yak-130 operational trainer developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau was chosen as the basic trainer of Russian air forces for pilot training. Yak-130 enables training of pilots at the most advanced level for Russian and foreign 4+ and 5-generation combat aircraft.

The aircraft is the key part of training facility including integrated system of objective control, training computer classrooms, flight and special simulators.

The state testing of Yak-130 with armament has been completed in December 2009. The deliveries of jets to the Russian air forces have been started in February 2010.

The contract on delivery of 55 Yak-130s to the Russian air forces was signed in December 2011 by Irkut Corporation and Russian Ministry of Defense.

The jets must be delivered by 2015. The State program in the area of arms for 2011-2020 assumes acquisition of 65 Yak-130s.

The export deliveries of Yak-130 aircraft have been started in 2011. Precontractual negotiations on deliveries of the operational trainers to several countries are currently underway. The market capacity for Yak-130 in the mid-term prospect is assessed at 250 vehicles. The serial production of Yak-130 aircraft is being carried out by Irkutsk aviation plant using advanced digital technologies.

Irkut Corporation is upgrading Yak-130, in particular, the enterprise is working on expanding the jet’s combat capabilities.