Ethiopian Air Force Yak-130 Delivered

Ethiopia revealed its acquisition of Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced trainer and light combat aircraft from Russia at Aviation Expo 2026, held at Bishoftu Air Base to commemorate the Ethiopian Air Force's 90th anniversary. Six aircraft bearing tail numbers 2301 through 2306 were displayed. According to the Russian defense think-tank CAST, Ethiopia may have ordered up to 10 Yak-130s. The aircraft are designed primarily for pilot training but can also perform light combat missions. Ethiopia became the eighth foreign recipient of Yak-130 aircraft, following Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Iran.