Agreement on Mistral to be signed on Jan 25

24.01.2011 Russian-French agreement on construction of Mistral class helicopter carriers for Russian Navy will be signed on Tuesday, Jan 25 in Saint-Nazaire, France, said the Elysee's press release.

The document will be subscribed in the presence of French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian vice premier Igor Sechin. President Sarkozy will be accompanied by defense minister, minister of ecology and transport, minister of economy and industry, said the release. The ceremony will take place at STX shipyard which is supposed to build the landing ships for Russia.

Within the framework of the event, Sarkozy is going to visit the third Mistral class helicopter carrier Dixmude being under construction in Saint-Nazaire. Warlike equipment is mounted on the ships at French naval base Toulon.

Late in Dec 2010 Russia and France officially announced that the international consortium consisting of United Shipbuilding Corporation (Russia) and DCNS (France) will construct two Mistral class ships in Saint-Nazaire, France and other two - under license in Russia. The tender was issued by Russian defense ministry in Oct 2010.

Assault landing ship Mistral has displacement of 21,000 tons and overall length of 210 meters; max speed is over 18 knots; fuel range is up to 20,000 nautical miles. Crew is 160 men; additionally, the ship accommodates 450 marines. Air wing includes 16 helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the top deck.