Story Published:
Aug 11, 2006 at 5:01 AM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 7:32 AM PST
MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin pledged support Friday
for Boeing Co.'s Russian projects at a Kremlin meeting with the
head of the company's civilian aircraft division.
The meeting between Putin and Alan Mulally came as Boeing and
Russia's titanium monopoly VSMPO-Avisma unveiled a joint venture
that will supply some $18 billion worth of titanium parts to the
aerospace giant for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
"Today's event will allow us to achieve a new level of
cooperation," Putin said. "We, for our part, will support the
development of your business in Russia."
Mulally noted that 2,000 Russian engineers help Boeing design
its aircraft.
The agreement comes a week after the U.S. State Department
announced sanctions on seven Russian companies over their dealings
with Iran, a move that some feared could threaten Boeing projects
in Russia.
Boeing has said its key projects would not be affected, and
pledged Friday to work closely with all government agencies to
ensure the joint venture and all other activities in Russia remain
compliant with all U.S. and international obligations.
The 50-50 joint venture announced Friday will produce titanium
parts for the Dreamliner. VSMPO-Avisma general director Vladislav
Tetyukhin said that 10 percent of the 787 would be Russian titanium
parts.
Boeing said in a statement that VSMPO-Avisma will perform rough
machining of titanium forgings. Final machining and processing of
the forgings will be completed by Boeing's Portland, Oregon,
fabrication facility and other machining subcontractors.
Last week, Washington said that Russia's state arms exporter,
Rosoboronexport, and top aircraft maker Sukhoi were among companies
that had violated the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000 aimed at
preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction to Tehran.
Both companies denied any violations, and the Russian government
criticized the U.S. move as harmful for bilateral ties.
Boeing is working with Sukhoi on a venture to design and
manufacture a mid-sized passenger jet for regional lines, while
Rosoboronexport is expected to take a controlling stake in
VSMPO-Avisma.