TEHRAN – The Iranian Air Force has modified the Yak-130 trainer jet for combat, firing a missile to destroy a target drone during the Zolfaqar 1403 tri-service war games in southwestern Iran.
A Yak-130 jet flew alongside two MiG-29 fighter jets during an aerial operation on Monday, intercepting and shooting down a drone with advanced missiles. The exercise, involving the Iranian Army’s Ground Force, Air Force, Navy, and Air Defense, spans from the northern Indian Ocean to the Makran coasts in southeastern Iran.
Iran acquired the Yak-130 from Russia in 2013, marking the latest fighter jet in its fleet alongside older MiG-29 aircraft. In September 2023, Iran received its first batch of Russian-made Yak-130 jet trainers.
The Yak-130, developed by Russia’s Yakovlev and Aermacchi, is a subsonic two-seat jet trainer and light combat aircraft. It enables Iranian military pilots to train for 4+ and fifth-generation fighter jets like the Sukhoi Su-57.
Iran and Russia have increased their military cooperation through major trade and defense agreements. Iran has not acquired new fighter aircraft in recent years beyond the Russian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters purchased in the 1990s.
Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh, spokesman for the drills, said the modified Yak-130 “showcased a portion of its advanced and unique capabilities” in the drill.
The operation, he said, highlighted the high level of coordination and capability within the Air Force to execute complex aerial missions.
“The successful participation of the Yak-130 in this exercise paves the way for broader use of this jet in future missions and strengthens the country’s defensive capabilities,” he said, calling it a turning point.
He described the combat plane as one with a modern design and high operational capabilities.
The inclusion of the Yak jet in the Zolfaqar 1403 exercises underscores the remarkable progress the Air Force has made in updating its fleet and utilizing advanced technologies, he added.
The Iranian Army’s ground force also conducted extensive live-fire drills in support of the Navy during the military maneuvers, deploying a wide range of light and heavy weaponry to bolster maritime defense.
The Army’s rapid deployment capabilities remain a key component in designing and executing military exercises, Sheikh said.
On Monday, the 55th Airborne Brigade, in coordination with the 223rd Rapid Reaction Brigade, swiftly landed in the designated operational zone to establish immediate defense lines, referred to as “emergency defense operations.”
The quick-response deployment aimed to prevent mock enemy forces from advancing into Iranian territory before additional reinforcements could arrive, Sheikh added.
A notable aspect of the drills was the use of advanced missile and drone systems, Sheikh said. 
Various missile platforms were employed in the exercises, including the Fat’h (Conquest) missile with a 120-kilometer (74-mile) range and the Fajr (Dawn) missile with a range of 110 kilometers (68 miles).
Additionally, the Army deployed Arash-2 loitering munitions, as well as offensive drones such as Ababil-(Flock of Birds)-4, Ababil-5, and Mohajer (Migrant)-6.
The systems were utilized to strike mock enemy positions, referred to as “Orange Forces,” and to assist the Navy in neutralizing mock hostile elements at sea.
Sheikh further underlined the  strategic use of drone warfare in the exercises, with a heavy emphasis on reconnaissance, surveillance, and offensive drone strikes. Indigenous electronic 
warfare drones also played a role in disrupting enemy operations, he stated.
The ground force also demonstrated its capability to deploy both close-range and long-range firepower against enemy positions, the spokesman said.
Anti-armor missile systems such as the ground-launched Almas (Diamond) and the dual-mounted Dehlaviyeh were deployed on armored personnel carriers, the official noted.
Artillery and missile strikes were assessed for their precision and effectiveness in battlefield scenarios, Sheikh remarked, adding that, additionally, combat engineering units worked on fortifications, obstacles, and controlled demolitions to strengthen coastal defenses along the Sea of Oman.
Highlighting the role of air support, Sheikh said the Army Aviation units played a crucial role in suppressing mock enemy forces during the maneuvers.
Helicopter gunships executed coordinated strikes, provided aerial fire support, and engaged in ambush operations, Sheikh said, noting that air defense units, meanwhile, used Shahid (Martyr) Majid air defense systems and Misaq (Covenant) shoulder-launched missiles to counter low-altitude aerial threats.
According to the official, as part of the joint maneuvers, the 188th Armored Brigade, in coordination with airborne and rapid reaction units, launched a decisive counterattack against mock enemy forces.
Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and coordinated airstrikes forced the adversary into retreat, pushing them back into the sea, Sheikh said.
The Air Force also supported these operations with Karrar (Striker) drones and F-4 fighter jets, ensuring the success of the Ground Force’s offensive maneuvers.
Meanwhile, the commander of Iran’s Navy has announced that the force’s hovercraft fleet has been equipped with long-range missiles and that the domestically developed Pirouzan-class hovercraft would soon join operational naval units.
Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said the Iranian hovercrafts, amphibious crafts, which have been outfitted with the advanced projectiles, had conducted live-fire tests during the maneuvers.
Irani said that unmanned aerial and subsea systems played a crucial role in the amphibious operations, which were being conducted during the drills.
The Navy chief said the exercises had featured “successful deployment of state-of-the-art naval equipment and munitions, including paratrooper jumps from F-27 aircraft, which are primarily used for maritime patrol missions.”
He said Iran’s defense industry has successfully designed and produced heavy hovercraft, named ‘Pirouzan,’ which will soon be integrated into the Navy’s combat structure.
On Saturday, the commander said Iran maintains dominance across various naval domains, including subsea, surface, and aerial units, with a strong emphasis on unmanned technology.
“In confronting drone threats, aerial threats, and unmanned naval systems, we have significantly upgraded our capabilities,” he said.