During the large-scale "Zolfaghar 1403" exercises, an Iranian pilot of a Yak-130 combat trainer practiced intercepting and destroying a drone. The maneuvers are taking place off the coast of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
This is the first time the Yak-130 has participated in Iranian Air Force exercises. Pilots of two fourth-generation MiG-29 multirole fighters also practiced UAV interception tactics alongside it.
According to IRNA, the Russian Yak-130s arrived in Iran in September 2023. The aircraft were delivered to the Islamic Republic in disassembled form. After assembly by local specialists, they were sent to a base in Isfahan for testing.
Yak-130 technical specifications:
- Length — 11.49 m
- Wingspan — 23.52 m
- Maximum take-off weight — 10,290 kg
- Engine — AI-222-25
- Maximum speed — 1050 km/h
- Practical ceiling — 12,500 m
- Combat load — 3000 kg
- Armament: R-73, S-8, S-13 missiles, aerial bombs up to 500 kg
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