Russia presents upgraded Yak-130M combat aircraft at Egypt airshow

The modernized Yak-130M was displayed at the El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt in 2026, where test pilot Alexander Guskow said it attracted substantial interest, particularly from Africa and Asia. [1][2][3]

According to manufacturer Yakovlev, more than half of the aircraft’s onboard electronics were renewed. The reported changes include a new targeting system, a defensive complex and a larger weapons package. [1][2][3]

The weapons described in the reporting include guided missiles for air-to-ground and air-to-air missions. The stated design goal is around-the-clock, all-weather capability for lighter combat operations. [1][2][3]

The aircraft is presented as addressing a gap in Russia’s fleet during the Ukraine war, where the reporting says there is demand for more affordable aircraft for drone defense and light combat missions. [1][2][3]

The same account says the Yak-130 has already been exported to eight countries and that Russia is seeking export products it can manufacture despite Western sanctions. It does not establish that the Yak-130M has entered operational service. [1][2][3]