Rosoboronexport (Russia) is taking part in the tender of Philippine Ministry of Defense (on delivery of six operational trainers) for the first time, Lenta.ru reports.

It has been stated by the Deputy Director General of Rosoboronexport, Viktor Komardin. According to him, Russia has offered Yak-130 operational trainers to Philippines.

Philippine Ministry of Defense has issued the tender on delivery of six operational trainers in late July 2011. Among the potential participants of the tender were KAI (Korea) and Alenia Aermacchi (Italy) presenting T/A-50 Golden Eagle and M-346 Master respectively. Philippines have allocated around $140,6 million for these purposes.

Philippines intend to use the jets for pilot training, air-to-air operations and air-to-ground work.

Yak-130 has been designed by Yakovlev design bureau in accordance with the order of Russian Ministry of Defense. It is intended for training of future pilots of fifth-generation fighters and front-line aircraft. At first the jet’s development has been carried out in cooperation with Alenia Aermacchi, but at the final stage of the project the Italian party has dropped out of it due to some dispute. The Italian company has received all the technical documentation on Yak-130. Later Alenia Aermacchi has developed its own M-346 aircraft.

Yak-130 has high maneuverability; its maximum flight speed is 1060 km/h. The jet is equipped with advanced avionics. Combat-equipped Yak-130 may carry weapons with a total weight of 3 tons.