On an airfield in the Far East in mid-May, a sleek mid-range jet touched down smoothly after a maiden, one-hour voyage, marking Russia’s anticipated entry into the world of global civilian aviation.

With the SuperJet-100, Sukhoi – which made its name arming the Soviet Union and its allies with bombers and fighter jets – is hoping to overcome the stereotypes that cling to Russia’s ailing civilian air industry and lead the country’s foray into the global market.