The first flight of the production-standard Yakovlev Yak-130-01 combat trainer is expected some time in late 2003 following delivery of the first AI-222-25 engine to the Nizhniy Novgorod Sokol Aircraft Building Plant. Oleg Demchenko, general director of the Yakovlev Design Bureau, says his company has agreed a timetable with the Zaporozhie Progress Machine Building Design Bureau and the Salyut Federal State Unitary Enterprise for the creation of the AI-222-25 engine. The second flying production-standard aircraft will be powered by DV-2 from Slovakia. The final engine choice will be made on the basis of "who will offer the engine earlier and at a more attractive price". Yakovlev estimates that scientific, research, design and development work will cost $200 million, but believes that the aircraft could seize a large proportion of the total market for advanced jet trainers, estimated at 800-1,200 aircraft.
Source: Flight Daily News