A Russian-made Yak-130 fighter jet participated in a joint aerial operation for the first time during the joint “Zulfiqar 1403” military exercises.
The drills kicked off on Saturday along Iran’s strategic Makran coastline, encompassing the Sea of Oman and extending to the northern reaches of the Indian Ocean, according to news reports.
The IRIAF Yak-130 light combat aircraft made its debut in the ongoing Zulfiqar 1403 military exercise, successfully destroying a target drone. pic.twitter.com/TQUjkSKHEi
— Iran Military (@IRIran_Military) February 24, 2025
The Yak-130 is a subsonic, two-seat jet trainer and light combat aircraft. It was delivered to Iran in September 2023. According to Iranian news outlets, the aircraft, developed by Russia’s Yakovlev Design Bureau, is being used to train pilots for the Sukhoi jets that Iran aims to acquire from Russia.
First image of an Iranian Yak-130 light combat aircraft in flight – stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/2CUG6do1RZ
— Iran Military (@IRIran_Military) December 8, 2024
Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh, spokesperson for the Zulfiqar 1403 drills said the Yak-130 fighter jet participated in an interception mission alongside two MiG-29 fighter jets. The operation involved detecting, tracking, and neutralizing a target drone.
“The MiG-29 pilots successfully identified and pursued the target drone, and the Yak-130 completed the mission by launching advanced missiles, completely destroying the drone,” Sheikh stated.
The recent military exercises aim to enhance the defensive and deterrence capabilities of the Iranian Armed Forces against potential aerial, ground, and naval threats, said Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Army for Coordination and commander of the joint drill.
