The Russian Space Systems corporation and the U.S. Trimble Navigation Group have signed an agreement to create a joint satellite navigation venture in Russia, the Russian company has said.

Each of the companies will hold a 50% stake in the Rusnavgeoset company, which will produce Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) geodetic network infrastructure systems, a statement posted on Russian Space Systems' website said.

"This high-technology, innovative sphere of activities directly contributes to the commercializing of GLONASS," the statement said.

GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the Russian equivalent of the U.S. GPS (Global Positioning System), is designed for both military and civilian use. Both systems allow users to determine their positions to within a few meters.

Federal and local government agencies, as well as large companies are expected to purchase the equipment to be produced by Rusnavgeoset.

The company, to be based in Moscow, will be officially launched at the GLONASS Forum in Moscow on June 1, 2010.

The state-run Russian Space Systems corporation involves six scientific and research organizations.

Trimble Navigation Group is a leader on the U.S. satellite navigation equipment market.