The first Yak-130 operational trainer intended for Belarusian armed forces was delivered to Lida, BELTA reports with reference to the Belarusian Ministry of Defense.

The aircraft was delivered in a knocked down condition by Il-76 transport aircraft. In future Russian specialists will assemble it. “Deliveries of these jets will expand the capabilities in terms of pilot training: all the way to pilots of advanced fifth-generation fighters,” the ministry explained.

The ministry also added that Irkut Corporation will deliver four Yak-130 jets to Belarusian armed forces under the agreement between Russia and Belarus on development of military-technical cooperation between the countries. “At present a group of specialists of the air forces and air defense forces continue their training at Zhukovsky (Russia) in order to prepare for operation of these aircraft,” the Ministry of Defense noted.

Yak-130 is the two-seat next-generation operational trainer designed for initial and advanced pilot training by Yakovlev design bureau. The jet offers great maneuverability, cutting-edge avionics (similar to the avionics suites installed on the latest combat aircraft), high reliability and long service life. Yak-130 is the world’s only operational trainer to feature aerodynamic configuration and aircraft performance close to advanced fighters at subsonic speeds. The jet is capable of carrying 3 tons of payload (guided and unguided missiles and bombs, cannons, etc.) using nine weapon stations.