Vietnam Nears Deal for Advanced Russian Yak-130M Combat Trainers

Vietnam is reportedly nearing the finalization of a deal to purchase advanced Russian Yak-130M combat trainer aircraft, according to a senior official in the Russian defense industry. If successful, this would mark the first export of the modernized 'M' variant of the aircraft. Andrei Soynov, Director of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, stated that his company is close to securing a contract to supply 18 Yak-130M trainer jets to Vietnam. This information was reported by Aviation Week on July 27. Vietnam has a long-standing tradition of utilizing Soviet and Russian-made weaponry and equipment, including fighter jets, surface vessels, submarines, and various other assets. However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent difficulties in ensuring supply chains, Vietnam has been progressively diversifying its defense partners. Reuters has reported that Vietnam is seeking supplies from the United States, Israel, South Korea, India, and European countries, amid growing challenges in continuing to procure Russian arms due to sanctions related to the Ukraine war. The most recent publicly known major arms deal between Vietnam and Russia was the purchase of 12 Yak-130 aircraft for approximately $350 million in 2019. The Yak-130 is designed to train pilots for advanced fighter jets and can also be equipped with air-to-ground weapons, including guided missiles and bombs. In recent years, two incidents involving Yak-130 aircraft have occurred in Vietnam. In November 2024, a Vietnamese Air Force Yak-130 trainer crashed after failing to deploy its landing gear; the two pilots ejected safely. In January 2026, Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that a Yak-130 crashed during a training exercise in Dak Lak province, with the pilot managing to parachute to safety. The aircraft in the new potential contract with Russia are the upgraded Yak-130M variant, which has recently undergone testing by the Russian side. According to Defense Watch, the modernized Yak-130M combat trainer development program has entered a new testing phase. Three prototype aircraft are currently undergoing trials, with the commencement of series production deliveries anticipated from late 2028, according to officials at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant. This projected timeline was announced by Vitaly Yelagin, Production Director at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to the facility on July 24, 2026. President Putin also reviewed the upgraded Yak-130M prototype at the plant, as reported on the Kremlin's website on the same date. If the testing process proceeds as planned, series production deliveries are expected to begin in the latter half of 2028. The Yak-130M represents a significant next step in the development of the Yak-130 series, which has served as Russia's primary advanced jet trainer for over a decade. While retaining its main role in training fighter pilots before transitioning to combat aircraft, the upgrade package includes additional systems designed to better simulate the operational environment of modern 4th and 5th generation fighter jets. The Yak-130M is expected to be capable of advanced fighter pilot training, ground attack, reconnaissance, and light strike missions. The combination of training and combat capabilities allows nations to use the Yak-130M for pilot training during peacetime and deploy the aircraft for combat missions when necessary. Advanced trainer aircraft like the Yak-130M enable student pilots to familiarize themselves with complex avionics systems, operational procedures, and weapons usage before transitioning to operational squadrons.