Free Republic

(Russia's)Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref on Wednesday threw his weight behind the Russian Regional Jet, promising government support for the landmark project, which is expected to put Russia back on the map of global aviation. "We have full confidence that this jet will be made," Gref told reporters after the project's presentation at the Moscow design bureau of fighter jet manufacturer Sukhoi, the leader of the project. Gref, who in the past has criticized the Russian aviation industry, during the presentation repeatedly needled Sukhoi executives on whether their jet was in the same class as those made by...