Russia Expands Middle East Presence with Modernized Yak-130M

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will showcase its upgraded Yak-130M combat training aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2025, marking the first time the aircraft will be displayed abroad. The Yak-130M features an updated avionics suite and airborne weapons, enhancing its role as both a jet trainer and light combat aircraft. Rostec, the state corporation overseeing UAC, targets the Middle Eastern market with the upgraded aircraft. The Dubai Airshow is one of the key international platforms for the aerospace industry, and Rostec plans to present several new products tailored to prospective customers in the region. The announcement comes as Western sanctions have restricted access to key avionics, sensors, and composite materials, forcing manufacturers to rely more heavily on domestic substitutes.