In 2016 Yakovlev design bureau will send a test pilot to Bangladesh in order to train the country’s pilots to operate the latest Yak-130 operational trainers, TASS reports with reference to Deputy CEO of Yakovlev Design Bureau on Flight Testing, Hero of Russia, Roman Taskaev.

Russia delivered the first six Yak-130 jets to Bangladesh in September 2015. Bangladesh is the second far-abroad country to purchase Yak-130 operational trainers (16 ones). Previously Algeria placed an order for 16 jets of the type. Initially Bangladesh was going to purchase 24 Yak-130, but the country didn’t have enough funds to do it.

“We are going to send our pilot instructor to Bangladesh; he is going to spend a month there. His objective is to train their pilots to operate Yak-130 during combat missions,” Taskaev said adding that this will happen in 2016.

He reminded that pilots of Yakovlev design bureau have already trained their Belarusian colleagues after delivery of the first Yak-130 jets to Lida air base. “Belarusian pilots are learning to operate Yak-130 during combat missions,” Taskaev added.

Yak-130 operational trainer (NATO reporting name: Mitten) is designed for pilot training and combat missions. The jet is capable of destroying ground and air targets. It is used for training of future pilots of “4+”-generation and fifth-generation fighters. The jet performed its maiden flight in 1996 and was selected as the primary trainer of the Russian air forces in 2002.