Sukhoi has received a launch order worth about USD$1 billion for its Russian Regional Jet from Dubai-based start-up leasing firm Concord Aviation, the Russian aerospace group said on Tuesday.

Sukhoi, a maker of Russia's flagship SU fighter and one of the country's biggest arms exporters, said in a statement that Concord had ordered 20 RRJ-95s and taken a further 20 options. It said deliveries would start in 2009 and run until 2015.

Sukhoi's Russian Regional Jet project (RRJ), which it is developing with help from Boeing, is central to the government's plans to revive domestic civil aviation, haunted by post-Soviet image and funding problems.

Sukhoi sold 10 jets to Russia-based Financial Leasing Company in its first deal worth USD$262 million in August. Concord would be the first foreign buyer of RRJs, it said.

"We are delighted to welcome our first customer outside Russia. This is a real breakthrough which enables the RRJ program to open up new markets," Victor Subbotin, Sukhoi director general, said in a statement.

Any deal would mark a significant step forward for state-owned Sukhoi, which hopes to start testing the new passenger plane in 2007 and is looking to sell up to 800 aircraft over the next two decades.

The 98 seat RRJ 95 powered by Franco-Russian engines is the first version to be launched and will be followed by the 78 seat RRJ 75.