The Belarusian Air Force and Air Defence Forces (BAFADF) received their third consignment of four Russian-made Yakovlev Yak-130 operational trainers, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced.

“Under an agreement between the Belarusian MoD and Russia’s JSC Irkut Corporation, Belarus has received four YaK-130 operational trainers. The aircraft were officially handed over to military unit No 19764 [the 206th Flight Training Center] on 11 May,” a Belarusian military spokesperson said.

The delivery increased the total number of Yak-130s in service with the BAFADF to 12 aircraft. In 2015–16 the military service received two consignments of four Yak-130s each.

A Belarusian military source told Jane’s that the newly activated operational trainers can use Russian-made air-launched weapons.

Source: janes