Russian Yak-130 combat training aircraft unexpectedly appeared at the Central Air Base of the Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) at Bishoftu airfield. The equipment with the tail number and emblem of the local armed forces was shown at the Aviation Expo 2026 air show.
Previously, information about the likely deliveries of Yak-130 to Ethiopia had not appeared online. According to preliminary data, the contract provides for the supply of ten aircraft, apparently the first three have already been delivered in 2025.
It should be noted that Ethiopia became the eighth foreign recipient of Yak-130 aircraft after Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Iran.
Military expert Evgeny Damantsev explained that even in the standard version, the Yak-130 is equipped with R-73RMD-2 short/medium-range missiles, capable of effectively countering a wide range of kamikaze drones. Combat aircraft are built at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant.