Russia's tender for helicopter carrier will be a matter of form

22.09.2010 Russia has virtually made the decision to buy French helicopter carrier Mistral, although tender has not been issued so far. According to a high-ranking representative of Navy Main HQ, basic parameters and financial terms of a forthcoming contract have been already agreed with French partners.

"Basically, tender for helicopter carrier to be issued by Russian defense ministry till the end of September will be just a formality. The main idea of the tender will be not selection of contract executor but maximum possible cost cutting", said the official to Interfax having added that "tender requirements are formed in such a manner that victory of the French ship is almost predetermined".

We recall that Russia plans to purchase four amphibious landing ships for the national navy; two of them will be directly bought from the manufacturer, other two will be constructed by Russian shipyards.

Russian defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov previously said that aside from foreign shipbuilders, Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation would also compete in the tender. This company lobbies procurement of S Korean helicopter carrier Dokdo which is fully meets requirements for a present-day landing ship. However, "political relations between Russia and South Korea are considerably weaker than Russo-French ties", said Konstantin Makienko, deputy director of World Arms Trade Analytic Center.

Furthermore, the promise to buy Mistral was given to Nicolas Sarkozy by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, and the president's word has to be kept regardless of whether we want it or not, reminded Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

The only cloud is dissatisfaction of NATO members as of Mistral sales to Russia.