Yak-130 Coming to Bolivia? President Morales Interested in Lightweight Russian Combat Jets

Bolivian President Evo Morales has stated that his country’s Air Force is interested in acquiring a replacement for the American T-33 lightweight combat trainers which were retired from service in 2018, and that Russian hardware in particular is being sought out for future acquisitions. The President stated to this effect: "There is a great interest in purchasing Russian military equipment, including aviation equipment, and in services. A [joint] commission is operating, and we hope that technology transfer will bring good results.” Further elaborating on the types of arms under consideration, he said: “Last year we stopped using T-33 jet trainers, and now the Air Force asks me to replace them with Russian aircraft. Much will depend on the technical aspect, but there is great trust [in Russian military equipment]. There are many Russian aircraft in Latin America. Everything will depend on the work of the relevant commission.” Bolivia has retained positive relations with a number of U.S. adversaries, and its relations with the Western Bloc have long been poor. Russia for its part has gained much political currency among a number of Latin American states for staunch support of the government of Venezuela against mounting Western pressure, and staged a major show of force in December 2018 with the deployment of Tu-160 nuclear capable strategic bombers an airbase near Caracas.

The Lockheed T-33 saw its first flight in 1948, and 38 were acquired second hand in the late 1970s and early 1980s from Canada and France. It has been speculated that the jet Bolivia will seek to purchase in place of the T-33 will be a light combat trainer with a similar role and similarly low operational cost. Russia’s Yak-130 entered service in 2010 and was developed precisely with this role in mind. The platform has been widely exported both as a trainer for modern Russian combat jets such as the Su-30 as well as for its benefits of its own combat capabilities - with the jets designed with a full glass cockpit, a four channel digital fly by wire system, a heads up display and a helmet mounted sighting system. The Yak-130 can carry a payload of up to 3000kg including guided munitions and can deploy specialised electronic warfare pods. A number of Latin American states have shown interest in Russian combat jets, most notably Venezuela which currently fields a fleet of 23 Su-30MK2 heavyweight air superiority fighters and previously planned acquisitions for further high end fighters. Considering the small size of its economy and its low defence budget of just $650 million, Bolivian acquisitions of heavier and higher end fighters is unlikely and the Yak-130 remains a potentially ideal option. Bolivia has retained close ties to Venezuela, and deployment of modern Russian combat jets with many of the same subsystems and munitions could facilitate closer ties between the air forces of the two countries.