Vietnam Becomes Inaugural Yak-130M Export Customer, Enhancing Air Capabilities

Hanoi, Vietnam – Vietnam has inked a deal to acquire 18 Yak-130M advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft, marking a significant step in the modernization of its air force and making it the first international client for this upgraded variant. This follows an initial procurement of Yak-130s in 2019.

The contract’s existence was disclosed by Andrei Soynov, General Director of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the facility on July 24, 2026. Soynov confirmed that an initial export agreement for 18 Yak-130M light attack aircraft had been signed, with Vietnam identified as the undisclosed customer. This acquisition is poised to boost the Vietnamese People’s Air Force’s (VPAF) active Yak-130 fleet to 28 aircraft upon completion of deliveries, a substantial increase from its current operational strength.

Vietnam initially ordered 12 Yak-130s in 2019. However, two of these aircraft were subsequently lost in training accidents—one on November 6, 2024, and another on January 28, 2026—reducing the active fleet to 10 units. With the addition of 18 new Yak-130Ms, the total Yak-130 family aircraft procured by Vietnam will reach 30, with a projected operational fleet of 28, assuming no further losses.

The timing of this agreement is notable, as it was finalized before the completion of the Yak-130M’s state flight tests, which are slated to continue until December 2028. This early commitment allows the Irkutsk Aviation Plant to secure the first export production batch without waiting for the full certification process, while Vietnam undertakes the inherent development risks associated with being a launch customer for a system still undergoing official trials. To date, three Yak-130M prototypes have been produced, with initial series production deliveries projected to commence in late 2028.

The Yak-130M modernization package integrates a suite of advanced mission and avionics systems developed by Rostec subsidiaries. Key enhancements include the BRLS-130R AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, the SOLT-130K electro-optical and laser targeting system, the President-S130 self-protection suite, and the KSS-130 communication system. Rostec asserts that these upgrades will enable the Yak-130M to perform day and night training and combat missions in challenging weather conditions. The state-owned conglomerate also highlighted that most of these new systems are indigenously produced within its industrial network, underscoring Russia’s sustained domestic manufacturing capabilities despite international sanctions.

A primary new role for the Yak-130M is counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) operations. The aircraft is optimized to engage larger UAVs, which present more favorable targets due to their greater radar cross-section, stronger infrared signatures, higher operational altitudes, and extended flight profiles compared to smaller drones. Furthermore, the Yak-130M can also be employed against unmanned surface vessels (USVs), using its electro-optical system to detect and identify small naval targets before neutralizing them with guided air-to-surface munitions.

Beyond these specialized capabilities, the Yak-130M is designed for a broad spectrum of missions including air policing, regional air defense, close air support (CAS), battlefield interdiction, convoy escort, reconnaissance, weapons training, and advanced pilot training. This versatility positions the Yak-130M not merely as an advanced training platform but as a multi-role light attack aircraft capable of operating effectively in low to medium-threat environments.

The full operational capabilities and total cost of the acquisition will ultimately depend on the specific sensors, weapon systems, and software functionalities delivered with the initial aircraft. It is anticipated that some planned features may be integrated in subsequent modernization phases, allowing the aircraft to reach its full operational potential incrementally. The Yak-130M successfully completed its maiden flight recently.

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