The Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Command is reportedly close to completing the procurement of Yak-130 advanced jet trainers for replacement of its fleet of L-39 Albatros aircraft.

Belarusian Armed Forces Air Force and Air Defence chief major-general Oleg Dvigalev was quoted by Belarusian Telegraph Agency as saying: "A wing of combat and training aircraft Yak-130 will arrive as an independent tactical unit.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

"Step-by-step pilots will learn to fly them while technicians will study how to maintain them.

"Later on we will make plans to phase out L-39 aircraft because Yak-130 aircraft are more up-to-date and more reliable."

"A wing of combat and training aircraft, Yak-130 will arrive as an independent tactical unit."

A contingent of Belarusian technicians and pilots is scheduled to visit Russia for a month-long training programme, and will subsequently be redeployed to the airfield in Lida, Belarus, along with the aircraft.

See Also:

In addition, specialists from the Yak-130 manufacturer will arrive in Lida, to provide technical support for the aircraft and analyse their status over the next year.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Dvigalev said: "Once our specialists know the aircraft inside out, we will plan the acquisition of more wings."

Around 12 L-39ZA aircraft are operated by the Belarusian Air Force’s 1/12 Training Squadron for different stages of pilot training.

The Yak-130 is designed by Yakovlev and built by Irkut. It is a subsonic two-seat advanced jet trainer / light attack aircraft designed to train pilots in flying advanced fourth and fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including the Sukhoi T-50.

The twin engine is capable of operating from unpaved runways and airfields. It can also conduct light-attack and reconnaissance missions at subsonic speeds of 600mph, in all weather conditions.

The aircraft is currently operational with the Russian and Algerian Air Forces, and has also been ordered by Bangladesh, Libya, and Vietnam.