Major Deliveries?

[Feanor]

The Russian MoD has apparently already signed the contract with the Irkut aircraft building plant for the delivery of 62 Yak-130 combat trainers. If this goes through, it would be the large delivery of aircraft to the VVS in many years. Does this signify an actual re-armament rather then the previous snail's pace acceptance of new arms?

http://arms-tass.su/?page=article&aid=55498&cid=25

Sorry but the link is once again in Russian

 

[nevidimka]

Thats a good news. The Yak 130 will provide a new platform to train newer VVS pilots better. This will certainly improve the VVS pilot's ACM skills.

This also has another meaning IMO, in that the VVS is preparing for the introduction of the Pak Fa and the Yak 130 I believe is the only platform that can be modified to simulate Pak FA systems.

Btw Feanor, are you Russian?

 

[Feanor]

Yes. I'm a Russian living in the states (going to school at UC Santa Cruz). That's why I'm more knowledgeable (relatively) on Russian matters.