First “Yak-30” Jets Ready for Syria Air Force

The Russian government declared the first series of Syria’s requested aircrafts are prepared based on a military contract signed by the two governments.
According to news sources, upon Syria’s request, the first series of Russian fighter and trainer jets of the “Yak-30” type are prepared to be delivered to Syria.

The Russian News agency “RIA Novosti” quoted the head of the Russian delegation that attended “Paris Le Burget Air Show” as saying: “The Russian Aircraft Company, AirCoat, has finished the production of the first series of “Yak-30” as ordered by Damascus.

“The [aforementioned] aircrafts were manufactured in Russia and to deliver them to Syria, we are awaiting the political order by Kremlin,” he said.

The head of the Russian delegation that attended “Paris Le Burget Air Show” added: “Right now the aircrafts are without engines or other aircraft avionics systems and to install the systems on the jets in order to send them to Syria, Kremlin’s political decree is required.”

Syrian news sources reported that in December 2011 Damascus signed a contract to buy 36 “Yak-30” trainer jets from Russia. As a part of the contract Damascus paid $100 million in June 2013 which is the cost of the production and delivery of only 6 of the jets.