The first in the business of airplanes: Irkutsk aircraft factory showed Putin the updated Yak-130M and MC-21

The Russian aviation industry has not only coped with unprecedented sanctions pressure, but has also entered a new technological trajectory. From the assembly of single copies, the country is moving to the mock-up and serial production of fully domestic machines. Vladimir Putin's visit to the Irkutsk Aviation Plant of PJSC Yakovlev on July 24 allowed him to assess the successes in the industry. For the first time, the Head of state was shown the latest Yak-130M combat training aircraft, as well as the fully import-substituted MC-21-310 passenger liner. The President inspected the workshops, talked with the plant and Rostec management, and also set specific tasks for the engineers, from the flight range of civilian vessels to the expansion of the combat arsenal.

The Yak-130M is capable of carrying air-to-air missiles

The Irkutsk Aircraft Factory, which has been operating since 1932, is currently undergoing perhaps the most ambitious stage of modernization in its modern history. Vladimir Putin personally visited the enterprise to evaluate the successes of aircraft designers. He was the first to be shown a prototype of the upgraded Yak-130M combat training aircraft. The car made its maiden flight just a month ago, and now it has been presented to the Supreme Commander for the first time. Yakovlev test pilot Alexander Guskov reported on the progress of the tests to the head of state.

The main feature of the updated Yak-130M is the ability to transform. It has transformed from an ordinary training vehicle into a full-fledged and effective combat aircraft. The latest on-board electronic equipment systems and optical sighting systems allow him to perform the tasks of an attack aircraft and fighter aircraft around the clock and in all weather conditions. Speaking about the expansion of capabilities, Vladimir Putin emphasized the real experience of combat operations and operational requirements of the front.

"There are still tasks that need to be solved during the course of combat operations, such as the destruction of large copters and backup ships (unmanned enemy boats — Ed.)," the president stressed.

Thanks to the modernization, the Yak-130M is becoming an ideal platform for such tasks. As explained to Izvestia by the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Hero of Russia Andrey Krasov, the key to the success of the machine was its versatility and increased combat load.

— The aircraft allows you to effectively solve the tasks of both training pilots for modern fighter aircraft of the 4++ and 5 generations, as well as performing a wide range of combat missions. The second is the increased combat load. Thanks to additional suspension points and the integration of new precision-guided weapons, the Yak-130M is capable of carrying a much wider arsenal of weapons, including air-to—air and air-to-surface missiles," said Andrei Krasov.

Three experimental models of the upgraded Yak-130M have already been assembled at the Irkutsk enterprise. All of them are undergoing flight and design tests. According to Vitaly Yelagin, director of production at the Irkutsk Aircraft Factory, serial deliveries to the troops will begin at the end of 2028. The basic version of the Yak-130 has already established itself not only in the Russian Air Force and the Belarusian Air Force, but is also actively supplied to Asian and African countries. The upgraded version with an expanded strike potential is sure to arouse even greater interest from foreign customers.

MS-21 is preparing for a serial marathon

The flagship of Russian civil aviation, the MS—21 mainline liner, is also being created in the factory workshops. Vladimir Putin was shown the first fully import-substituted aircraft of the 310 series. There is not a single component critically dependent on foreign supplies, from control systems and avionics to domestic PD-14 engines. And this is the main victory of the Siberian aircraft manufacturers.

Currently, 18 such aircraft are already in varying degrees of readiness, and the company is gradually reaching the planned volume of mass production. During the inspection, the president paid special attention to promising modifications of the airliner, in particular, a shortened version of the MS-21-210.

— What will be the flight range? — the Russian leader asked.

The head of Rostec, Sergey Chemezov, replied: the figure will be at least 5,000 km. However, the president felt that this might not be enough for the scale of our country, and called on designers to raise the bar.

— At least 5 thousand... Here, from Moscow to the Irkutsk region, there will be just 5 thousand. There should be more, obviously there should be more, if this is a shortened version," Putin emphasized with a smile, but with obvious overtones.

The shortened MC-21 is designed for about 140 seats, Andrey Soinov, director of the Irkutsk Aircraft Factory, added to the presentation. "The car will be in demand," the president summed up.

Before leaving the workshop, Vladimir Putin left a memorable signature on a poster depicting Yak and MC-21 aircraft, wishing the staff of the Irkutsk Aviation Plant new production successes. The company is unique: on one site it is possible to harmoniously combine the assembly of the most complex combat complexes and civilian passenger ships. This gives the company a huge margin of safety, Maria Vasilkova, a member of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade, a deputy from the Irkutsk Region, explained to Izvestia.

— This cooperation allows us to maintain human resources and technological competencies. Thousands of workers, technologists and assemblers ensure the desired quality every day. It is on their shoulders that the practical implementation of those decisions that are made at the federal level lies," she said.

The deputy recalled that the large—scale program of switching to domestic components was initiated by the head of state in response to Western sanctions, but its practical success is the merit of the labor collectives, who rebuilt logistics as soon as possible, mastered new materials and established technological chains. In parallel with the factory workers, the legislative power is also doing serious work. Over the past year, the State Duma has adopted a whole package of amendments that create stable rules of the game for the industry for decades to come — from simplifying certification procedures for domestic parts to tax benefits and guarantees for the state defense order.

The President's trip to Irkutsk confirmed: The Russian aviation industry has reached a steady growth trajectory. Both vehicles are combat Yak-130M and civilian MC-21-310 — They have become a clear proof that the country is able to independently guarantee both its strategic security and the transport connectivity of its own territories.