The Russian president and the Italian prime minister shook hands with each of the pilots, among whom was Major-General Alexander Kharchevski, chief of the Lipetsk aviation centre.
"Thank you very much", Putin told them.
After that, the president and the Italian premier got photographed together with the pilots. At their request Putin undersigned the photos, picturing the Russian president in flight clothing, brought along by the pilots. The photos were taken in March 2000, when the then acting President Vladimir Putin flew aboard a fighter of the Lipetsk centre from Krasnodar to Chechnya The Italian premier was shown that plane.
Vladimir Mikhailov, Command-in-Chief of the Air Force, said a few words about the planes, specifically the Su-27SM, which can be used as fighter or bomber.
Another aircraft, Su-24M, becomes airborne with a 14-tonne bomb load. Many planes are now being updated and a new aircraft of the next generation, Su-30, is already mass produced, the commander-in-chief said.
The high visitors were also shown a Mig-31, which Russia is not yet selling to foreign partners, he said. Describing its performances, Mikhailov noted that the plane can fire at four targets simultaneously.
The subject of Russian-Italian joint projects in aviation, particularly promoting aircraft to international markets, was taken up.
"We will provide all possible assistance", Berlusconi has promised. He said he had met with the managers of the Alenia firm, who said they were interested in the project.
After the brief inspection, Putin and Berlusconi were shown a Mi-26T helicopter. "It is the most powerful helicopter in the world" capable of carrying 30 tonnes of cargo, Mikhailov said.
The two got into the helicopter.
Berlusconi was awed by its size and suggested using it for carrying football teams. "Can it land on a football pitch?", he wondered and got a positive answer.
After that, Vladimir Putin accompanied the Italian visitor to the plane in which Berlusconi then flew home. Before they parted, the president and the premier had a talk through translators, hugged and kissed each other.
On the plane's doorstep the Italian premier waved his hand to Putin.
