KIEV, May 20 - The Yuzhnoye Design Bureau and the Yuzhmash Machine-Building Plant of Ukraine have built the first cruise engine for the fourth stage of the new European Vega rocket for the Italian company Avio SpA.

"The engine was built for the Italian Avio SpA in April, and it will be delivered in May," Yuzhnoye Chief Designer Volodymyr Shniakin told Interfax.

The maiden launch of a Vega is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011, he said.

"Phase One of cooperation in the Vega project has been completed successfully and in due time. The client is satisfied," Shniakin said.