The first Yak-130 advanced jet trainers for Myanmar Air Force completed its maiden flight.
According to the RIA Novosti, Russia plans to deliver three fighter jets to Myanmar by the end of 2016. The Defense Ministry of Myanmar signed its first Yak-130 purchase contract in June 2015, three years after the Southeast Asian republic voiced initial interest in the fighter trainer, the outlet says.
The Yak-130 combat trainer was selected as the winner of the trainer competition of the Voyenno Vozdushnyye Sily, Russian Federation Air Force, in April 2002. The aircraft is also actively marketed for export by Yakovlev, the Irkut company, and by Rosoboronexport.
A joint programme for trainer development between Yakovlev of Russia and Aermacchi of Italy began in 1993 and the Yak / AEM-130D demonstrator first flew in 1996. In 1999, the partnership was dissolved and the Yakovlev Yak-130 and the Aermacchi M346 became separate programmes.