Belarusian warplane invades Ukrainian airspace: A closer look at the Yak‑130
On Tuesday, September 24, a Belarusian aircraft, most likely a Yak-130, violated Ukrainian airspace. We explain the characteristics of this type of aircraft.
After crossing the administrative borders of the Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions and triggering anti-aircraft alarm sirens, Ukrainian air forces reported that the Belarusian aircraft headed south and disappeared from the radar.
Belarusian Yak-130 over Ukraine
The Defence Express portal, specialising in military topics, notes that this is the first time during the war in Ukraine that Belarusian aircraft have violated Ukrainian airspace, and it can formally be described as a combat aircraft.
The Yak-130 is a Russian trainer aircraft that first flew in 1996. For the Belarusian Air Force, it is one of two armed aircraft of this type (along with the older L-39).
This is a two-seater aircraft, approximately 12 metres long and with a wingspan of about 10 metres. Its takeoff weight is 6,350 kilograms. It is powered by two AI-222-25 turbofan engines, which enable it to reach speeds of just over 1,000 kilometres per hour. The maximum altitude at which the Yak-130 can operate is about 13,000 metres.
The Yak-130 can conduct combat missions
The Yak-130 can perform combat missions, although its strike capabilities are limited. The maximum weight of the carried arsenal can reach 3,000 kilograms. The aircraft is compatible with several Russian air-to-air missiles (including R-73) and bombs.
Belarus has had Yak-130 aircraft since 2015. The first agreement with Russia included the delivery of four such aircraft, and a few years later, further contracts were made for several more units. In 2021, one such Belarusian aircraft crashed near Baranovichi due to a control system failure.
