"The aircraft is leased to Italy's Civil Protection Department (Protezione Civile) and will be operated until the end of the fire hazardous season by SOREM Company, Italian fire-fighting equipment operator", says the document.
The press-release points out that three Italian pilots underwent training in a Russian training center and provided the company's management with high assessment of the Be-200 flight performance.
"The Russian side provides Italy with the aircraft and maintenance with necessary amount of spare parts and equipment. The aircraft will be piloted by combined crews of Russian and Italian airmen", reads the statement.
At the same time, the document points out that depending on the results of the Be-200 aircraft' experimental operation, Italy will consider the possibility of purchasing the aircraft for the country's civil defense needs.
The press-release says that representatives of a number of countries intending to upgrade their pool of fire-fighting aircraft expressed intent to visit Italy in order to observe the Be-200 operation under real conditions.
The Be-200 purpose amphibious aircraft is intended for extinguishing fires, patrolling terrain, rendering emergency aid in regions under disaster, search and rescue at sea as well as for sanitary and cargo transport.
In course of a single sortie, the Be-200 is capable of repeated intake of up to 12 tons of water on alighting run, as well as transport and release of the water over the fire site through use of high-precision navigation and flight control equipment.
