After a long delay, Russia has finally ordered 55 Yak-130 jet trainers, out of a planned 65, as part of the ongoing overhaul of its air force capabilities. (Max Briansky photo)
Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and Irkut Corporation Signed the Contract on 55 Yak-130 Delivery
(Source: Irkut Corporation; issued December 7, 2011)
Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and President of Irkut Corporation Alexey Fedorov have signed the contract on Yak-130 aircraft delivery.
Under the contract, Irkut Corporation will supply 55 Yak-130 to the Russian Air Force by 2015. The state arms program 2011-2020 envisages the purchase 65 Yak-130 combat trainers.
“As part of efforts to form a new image of the Russian Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry pays primary attention to equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art hardware and to enhancing its combat capability. The new Yak-130 aircraft will help to improve pilots’ skills and to train them to fly new-generation combat aircraft to be mass purchased by the Defence Ministry,” the Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said.
President of JSC Irkut Corporation Alexey Fedorov noted that the signing of the contract for Yak-130 – the most important event for the company. “I am confident that we can ensure timely delivery and high quality of aircraft produced for the Russian Armed Forces,” he said.
Yak-130 combat trainer, developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau – an Irkut Corporation company, was chosen as the main aircraft for basic and advanced training of Russian Air Force pilots.
Yak-130 can provide top-class pilots training to handle Russian and foreign-made combat aircraft of the generations “4+” and “5”. Yak-130 aircraft is the basic component of the training complex including integrated system of the objective control, educational computer classes, flight and specialized training apparatus.
State trials of Yak-130 with weaponry included have been successfully completed in December 2009.
Serial production of Yak-130 combat trainer on the Irkutsk aviation plant is conducted with complex use of modern digital technologies
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