MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a decree under which Italian airplane maker Alenia would be able to acquire a 25-percent share in Sukhoi's civil aircraft division, the Kremlin said.
Alenia and Sukhoi agreed that the Italian company could obtain the stake in 2006, but the final deal was delayed pending government approval.
Alenia last year formed a joint venture with Sukhoi to handle Western European marketing and maintenance of Sukhoi's Superjet-100 regional aircraft.
The Superjet is Russia's strongest hope for reviving its long-struggling civilian aircraft industry. The plane, which will seat 75-90 people, will conform to European emission and noise standards, unlike the old Soviet-era passenger airliners.
The first Superjets are expected to go into service this year.
Sukhoi, mostly known for its warplanes, produces several small aerobatic and amphibious planes in its civilian division.
