Dubai, 27 Nov. (AKI) - Italy's leading aerospace and defence company, Finmeccanica, and its joint venture partner EADS have signed a 600 million dollar contract to supply 15 turbo-prop aircraft to the Indonesian passenger airline, Wings Air. In a statement released on Monday, ATR, the partners' joint venture, is to deliver the aircraft with an option for 15 others to Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air between 2009 and 2011.

The European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company is European group based in the Netherlands.

Finmeccanica is playing a prominent role in the Dubai Airshow which opened on Sunday. The Italian aerospace giant is hoping to secure new deals in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

The company has just created an industrial partnership with the Abu Dhabi-based business development and investment firm, the Mubadala Development Company, to produce components for civil aircraft at a plant at Al Ain in the UAE.

The plant was opened in an official ceremony at the weekend.

Under the arrangement, Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica subsidiary, will provide technology, technical assistance and training as well as manufacturing for the new composites plant.

The United Arab Emirates government also recently announced the selection of 48 M-346 advanced lead-in fighter trainer aircraft to be manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company.