Ethiopia Confirms New Russian SU-30, Yak-130 Jets Amid Emirati Mirage 2000 Rumor

The recent 90th Anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force (EtAF), celebrated at Bishoftu Air Base in January 2026, served as a definitive showcase for Addis Ababa’s aggressive modernization program. This is not merely a quantitative increase in airframes, but a calculated doctrinal shift toward a high-tech ecosystem integrating advanced training, air superiority, and multi-role versatility.

Yak-130: The Foundation for Advanced Training and CAS

A key highlight of the "Black Lion 2026" exhibition was the confirmation of the Yakovlev Yak-130 in operational service. At least six units (serials 2301 to 2306) were displayed, indicating that the first batch of an estimated 10-aircraft contract is now active.

Mission Profile: Beyond its primary role as a Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT), the Yak-130's hardpoints allow it to function effectively in Close Air Support (CAS) roles.

Bridging the Gap: This platform is essential for transitioning pilots toward 4.5-generation fighters, simulating the flight profiles and avionics of heavy combat aircraft.

Su-35 and Su-30K: Consolidation of Air Superiority

The EtAF is systematically replacing its aging Su-27 fleet with modernized "Flanker" variants from various sources.

• Su-30K: Operations have been confirmed for the units delivered in 2024 (serials 2401 and 2402), which were refurbished Russian-origin aircraft formerly operated by India.
• Su-35 "Flanker-E": Credible reports indicate a contract for at least six Su-35 units. The integration of the Flanker-E provides Ethiopia with superior BVR (Beyond Visual Range) capabilities and thrust-vectoring maneuverability.

The UAE Connection: The Mirage 2000-9 and the French Approval Factor

The potential transfer of 20 Mirage 2000-9 fighters from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would complete Ethiopia's multi-role capability. While the Su-35 and Su-30 focus on long-range air dominance, the Emirati Mirage—renowned for its advanced avionics—would provide surgical tactical flexibility.

However, a critical geopolitical hurdle remains: End-User Certificate (EUC) compliance. As the original manufacturer, France must formally approve the re-export of these aircraft to a third party. While Abu Dhabi is keen to offload the fleet to make room for its incoming Rafale F4s, Paris will weigh this decision against regional stability and its own diplomatic interests in the Horn of Africa. Without the Élysée's green light, the transfer remains a strategic ambition rather than a logistical reality.

This modernization, bolstered by Bayraktar Akinci and Orion UAVs, signals Ethiopia's intent to establish a hybrid force structure capable of regional dominance by the end of the decade.

Russia Supplies to Myanmar First Three Yak-130 Combat Trainers

Russia has completed the delivery of the first batch of Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Myanmar, the contract will be fully executed in 2017.
ussia plans to deliver additional Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft to Myanmar next year.
sputniknews

Combat Training Yak-130 of Myanmar Made its First Flight

The first Yak-130 advanced jet trainers for Myanmar Air Force first flew in Irkutsk.
Combat training aircraft Yak-130, built by an aircraft factory "Irkut" Corporation, it was designed as an advanced trainer aircraft and has light strike capability.
Took to the skies over Irkutsk, Yak-130 has an "export" serial number and is intended for delivery to Myanmar under the contract in 2015. Myanmar should get about ten of these aircraft, the first three aircrafts under the contract will be delivered up to the end of 2016.
Myanmar will become the fourth foreign buyer of Russian combat training aircraft Yak-130, also bought Algeria, Bangladesh and Belarus.
defense-studies

The Contract for the Yak-130 for Myanmar

According to the published Corporation "Irkut" the schedule of purchases for 2016 in a number of export customers combat training aircraft Yak-130 in the middle of last year has been refilled. June 22, 2015 signed a contract № P / 1510411150511 for the supply of aircraft Yak-130 and the consignee of the property "104" (Myanmar).
It is possible that the delivery of the first aircraft under the contract will start in 2016. As a corporation for the current year is a contract with the 420 military representation for quality control and acceptance of products under contract. In addition, before the end of 2017 on the territory of Myanmar should be deployed specialized simulator combat use of the Yak-130.
On the manifestation of interest on the part of Myanmar to the plane Yak-130 was reported back in 2012, when it was held a demonstration flight experienced combat training Yak-130 with pilot g / n 104. Thus, Myanmar will be the fourth export customer for the Yak-130 after Algeria, Belarus and Bangladesh. In addition, still not fully clear the fate of the "frozen" contract for 36 aircraft to Syria. In the fall of 2015 in a number of media reports about renewal of the contract, have not yet found its confirmation.
defense-studies

Bangladesh Air Force Inducts Yak-130, AW 139 into service

Russian-made Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft and Italian AW 139 helicopters have been inducted into the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed them over to the Air Force on Sunday at the BAF Bangabandhu Base in Dhaka.
Bangladesh had signed a deal with Russian state arms export agency Rosoboronexport to buy 24 Yak-130 trainers developed by the Irkut Corporation.
The deal was signed in 2013.
Bangladesh also signed a deal to purchase two AW 139 helicopters, which will be used by the BAF to perform maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations and other utility missions.
bdnews24

Belarus orders more Yak-130 aircraft

Belarus has ordered new combat aircraft from Russia.
The country has signed two contracts for four Yakolev Yak-130 'Mitten' trainer/strike aircraft and confirmed than an order for 12 Mil Mi-8MTV-5 'Hip' helicopters had been signed in June.
The order for four Yak-130s will bring the country's total to eight aircraft, following the delivery of four Yak-130s ordered in 2012 to Belarus in April. .
janes

Two Yak-130s delivered to Belarus

Irkut has delivered the first two of four Yak-130s to Belarus. The first jet arrived on Apr. 16 on board an Il76.
voentv

Bangladesh and Belarus to get Yak-130 in 2015

Russia will supply 14 Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainer aircraft to Bangladesh in 2015, with two more to follow next year.
Bangladesh had originally planned to acquire 24 such aircraft, but this was curtailed for financial reasons.
Bangladesh has become the second export customer for the Yak-130, after Algeria procured 16 aircraft in 2011.
Belarus too would receive four Yak-130s, following a contract that was signed in late 2012. Irkut is also negotiating with Armenia and Uzbekistan about YAK-130.
janes

Belarus to get four Yak-130 aircraft in April

Belarus will get four combat and training aircraft Yak-130 in April from Irkut Corporation.
The contract on buying these aircraft was signed in late 2012. Belarus is the first CIS country to buy Yak-130.
Irkut also will supply four jet fighters Su-30SM to Kazakhstan.
belta

Russia will Add 200 New Aircraft to Defense Arsenal to Maintain Higher Operational Readiness

As NATO becomes well entrenched in Eastern Europe, Russia has decided to boost its air capabilities, with almost 200 new airplanes and helicopters to be inducted into its air force and naval branches.
Most countries do not have a fleet of 200 aircraft in their arsenal.
Russia have also reintroduced long-range military air patrol to test the strength and weaknesses of air defences of NATO-aligned nations, an act reminiscent of the Cold War-era distrust between the West and the Russians.
The Russian dominance in aircraft and space technology is well catalogued. The latest induction would see 126 new aircraft and 88 helicopters.
The aircraft delivery would include Sukhoi Su-34 bombers, multipurpose Su-30SM and Su-35S fighter jets, Yak-130 trainers/light fighters and transport Ilyushin Il-76MD-90 planes. The Russian Air Force is also expected to receive cutting-edge radar stations, such as Nebo-M and Sopka.
The helicopter deliveries will include Ka-52 and Mi-28Nattack helicopters, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-35 combat helicopters and Ka-226.
ibtimes

Azerbaijan to buy Russian Yak-130 combat trainers

Russia is planning to export Yak-130 combat aircrafts to Azerbaijan.
The Russian side has made a presentation of the aircraft for the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
Last year, Azerbaijani military pilots conducted flights on the aircrafts, got thoroughly acquainted with technical and tactical instructions.
apa.az

Russia to advance Yak-130 aircraft to Mongolia, Vietnam, Latin America

Russia is seeking to advance its Yak-130 aircraft to Mongolia, Vietnam and Latin America. The arms exporting company Rosoboronexport and the aircraft corporation Irkut are doing the same in Latin America. Although foreign partners have reiterated their interest in purchasing this plane, no concrete contracts have been made so far.
Bangladesh will receive 16 Yak-130 planes before 2016 under a loan provided by Russia.
Russia would bid in tenders for the supply of multirole fighter jets, air defense systems, helicopters and submarines to Asia Pacific countries.
itar-tass

Russia to deliver Yak-130 aircraft to Syria

Russia approved the schedule to deliver Yak-130 trainer aircraft to the Syrian armed forces before the end of 2016.
It is planned to deliver nine aircraft to Syria before the end of this year and twelve aircraft next year. In 2016, Russia will deliver 15 more.
english.pravda

Bangladesh Buys 24 Yak-130 Combat Training Jets

Bangladesh ordered 24 Russian Yak-130 light fighter jets worth. The planes are to be fitted with English-language cockpits and delivery is scheduled to begin next year.
en.ria.ru

Russian Military Plans to Order More Yak-130 Combat Trainers

The Russian air force is planning to order an additional batch of new Yak-130 combat trainers because demand for the aircraft is growing.
The current contract with Russia’s Irkut aircraft corporation stipulates the delivery of 55 Yak-130s to the air force. A total of 42 aircraft have been delivered so far.
The Russian air force would soon form a new aerobatics team flying Yak-130s. The Yak-130 Mitten jet trainer/light attack aircraft is a subsonic two-seat aircraft developed by the Yakovlev design bureau.
The plane has been chosen as a basic aircraft for Russian air force pilot training. The first deliveries of the aircraft started in 2009.
ria.ru

Korea exports 24 FA-50 light attack aircraft to Iraq

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract to sell 24 FA-50 light attack aircraft to Iraq.
South Korea defense contractor is set to deliver the jets between October 2015 and October 2016.
Kai has sold 16 T-50 supersonic trainers to Indonesia, 40 KT-1 basic trainers to Turkey and 20 KT-1s to Peru.
In the competition, the KAI product beat BAE Systems’ Hawk-128, Russian Yakovlev’s Yak-130 and Czech aircraft producer Aero Vodochody’s L-159.
With Iraq being scheduled to import 36 F-16s from next year, the Korean light attack plane was seen as the best option to bridge the air power vacuum, while nurturing pilots.
The FA-50 was developed in Korea as a possible replacement for the Air Force’s F-5E/F when the aging fighters are retired.
KAI is set to try to continue the winning vibe in its sales pitch for other countries including the Philippines, Botswana and eventually, the United States.
In the U.S. Air Force’s trainer competition, aimed at replacing its fleet of T-38s.
The FA-50, which was first unveiled in January 2006, is a light combat version of the T-50 supersonic trainer that was co-developed with Lockheed Martin.
koreatimes

Yak-130 Jets For Syria On Track for 'Political Decision'

Russia has manufactured several Yak-130 combat trainer jets for Syria as part of a deal signed in 2011, but no final decision on delivery has yet been made, an official source said Thursday.
An unspecified number of the aircraft have been produced by aircraft-builder Irkut as part of the $550 million deal for 36 Yak-130 jets.
themoscowtimes

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation set to deliver 18 Yak-130s in 2013

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation is set to deliver 18 Yak-130 trainers to the Russian air force in 2013, say company officials speaking at the Paris air show. The Russian air force has ordered 55 airframes of the type.
The aircraft has also been ordered by Belarus, which signed a contract for the jets in December 2012, but company officials did not say how many aircraft had been ordered. Another export contract is expected to be signed with Bangladesh later this year.
flightglobal

Bangladesh Plans to Buy 24 Russian Jet Trainers

Bangladesh is planning to buy 24 Yak-130 Mitten jet trainers on $1 billion credit from Russia, Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday.

ria.ru

Belarus Signs Initial Order for Yak-130 Trainers

In accordance with the Agreement on the development of military-technical cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus dated December 10, 2009, today in Minsk the contract on 4 Yak-130 combat-trainers delivery in 2015 was signed by the Belarusian Defence Ministry and IRKUT Corporation


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