Russian Yak-130 operational trainer may be fitted with weapons, radar and avionics manufactured in Latin American countries, Vzglyad reports with reference to the head of Regional Marketing Department of Irkut Corporation, Viktor Lichaev.

«There is a project for adaptation of Yak-130 jets to weapons, avionics and radar manufactured in Brazil and other Latin American countries. This is a hot topic,» Lichaev said at LAAD-2015 exhibition.

According to him, Irkut hopes to occupy a niche in Latin America by means of “promoting Yak-130 at Brazilian and other markets”, because members of the Union of South American Nations are developing a registry of similar weapons and equipment.

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. The jet performed its maiden flight in 1996 and was selected as the primary trainer of the Russian air forces in 2002. Algeria became the launch customer for Yak-130 (among foreign countries). This year Yak-130 jets will be delivered to Belarus and Bangladesh.