Laos receives 4 new Yak-130 armed trainer jets from Russia

Photo above shows three Yak-130 armed advance jet trainers in Laos, with serial numbers 44, 45, and 47, and were said to have been delivered only recently. Photo c/o Lao Army - Lao soldiers Facebook page.

Limited reports coming from Laos indicated that the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force has recently received four (4) Yakolev Yak-130 armed trainers from Russia.

The aircraft, with serial numbers 44, 45, 46, and 47, were seen in a photo said to be taken in Vientiane, Laos before 9 January 2019. It was noted that Yak-130 serial number 44 was delivered on 20 December 2018, and is the first unit out of several aircraft ordered by Laos from Russia.

The Yak-130 is a subsonic, 2-seat advanced jet trainers being marketed by Russia to prepare pilots for transition to larger fighters. It is also capable of being used as light combat aircraft, as it was designed with 9 hard-points to allow the use of armaments including short range air-to-air missiles, air-to-ground munitions and even electronic pods.



[1] Lao Army Facebook page
[2] BMPD @ Livejournal page
[3] The National Interest