Irkut expects to receive new orders this year for the Yakovlev Yak-130 advanced jet trainer and light-attack aircraft, said company President Alexey Fedorov. Russia’s Defence Ministry late last year signed a production order for 55 of the twin-engined aircraft to equip the nation’s air force. These will be delivered as a mix of training aircraft and armed combat trainers.

In 2011, Irkut also delivered its first export examples of the type to Algeria, under a 16-unit order. “At the moment we are conducting pretty intensive talks and negotiations with more than 10 potential customers, and I believe that in the near future we are going to sign new export contracts,” Fedorov said.

Russia’s Rosoboronexport arms agency is promoting the Yak-130 in the Philippines, and Bangladesh and Syria have also been named as potential future users. Irkut plans to fly a combat trainer version at the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough air show in the UK during July.