Russian Navy to have Mistral in the nearest years

30.11.2010 Amphibious assault landing ship Mistral will appear in Russian Navy in the nearest "one or two years". According to commander of coastal defense and marine troops Gen. Maj. Alexander Kolpachenko, "the talks [with France] are at final stage".

As for him, Mistral class helicopter carrier would increase mobility of marine units not only in littoral zone but in the World Ocean as well.

"This ship accommodates a marine battalion with landing vehicles. Operational range is over 10,000 miles which is almost the whole World Ocean", pointed out Kolpachenko adding that "living facilities are also better – the ship has a hospital, sailors quarters are carpeted".

The general underlined that "the major purpose of Mistral is force projection. Of course, to marines it doesn't matter what the carrier is, since they act ashore. By airplanes, submarines, or landing ships – no matter how marines reach the coast. Nonetheless, Mistral is a step up after all", said Kolpachenko in live interview to Ekho Moskvy.

Displacement of Mistral class ship is over 21,000 tons; extreme length is 199 meters; full speed is 19 knots; operating range is 11,000 miles (20,000 km); crew is 160. The ship is capable to carry a 450-men landing party (up to 900 for a short period). Air wing includes 16 heavy helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck. The ship is capable to carry up to 60 armored vehicles while having 8 helicopters on board.