Russia has unveiled a new advanced trainer and combat aircraft with potential customers in Asia and Africa, Russia's state-owned defense industry giant said in a statement.
"According to Rosoboronexport's estimates, the prospect of promoting the modernized Yak-130M abroad is around 40 aircraft, with potential customers in Asia and Africa," the statement read.
The first experimental Yak-130M is scheduled to take its maiden flight in the first half of 2025, Alexander Veprev, the General Director of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, informed Russian media on the sidelines of the Army-2024 Forum.
The facility has completed preparations for the production of the new aircraft. Currently, components are being manufactured to construct experimental prototypes.
Additionally, Rosoboronexport estimates that there is a market for upgrading already delivered Yak-130s to the Yak-130M version to be around 60 aircraft.