Russian Ministry of Defense is interested in further upgrade of Yak-130 operational trainers, in particular, in fitting the jets with laser rangefinders, RIA Novosti reports with reference to Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Defense Forces Colonel General Viktor Bondarev.

“Equipment for smoke generation is intended for our aerobatic team – Wings of Taurida, while the laser rangefinder will allow the aircraft to use all kinds of guided weapons specified in its performance specification. The aircraft has all the necessary capabilities and significant upgrade potential, that is why we are going to fit the jet with the new equipment,” the General explained. Yak-130 is being upgraded by specialists of Yakovlev design bureau, who demonstrated Yak-130 operational trainer fitted with laser rangefinder and a color smoke generator for the first time ever at MAKS-2015 airshow.