Procurement contract of French Mistral class helicopter carriers will unlikely cost more than EUR 1 bln, reports Interfax citing Russian ambassador to France Alexander Orlov.
As for him, the contract value is close to this sum.
As was previously reported by Russian defense ministry, the final delivery contract for two ready-made landing ships would be signed late in the first or early in the second quarter of 2011. Delegation of Rosoboronexport will leave for France soon to negotiate with French shipbuilding company DCNS on the content and terms of the prospective contract.
An intergovernmental agreement was signed upon results of the close tender held by Russian defense ministry in the falls 2010.
On Dec 24, 2010 Russia and France signed an agreement on construction of two Mistral class ships in Saint-Nazaire (France) and other two – under license in Russia.
Mistral is an assault landing ship combining functions of a helicopter carrier and a dock ship with fuel range of 32,000 km. Mistral is capable to accommodate a 450-man landing party (for short period – up to 900 men). Other features are 16 helicopters including six placed on the flight deck, 4 light landing craft, or 2 air-cushion amphibious craft, or over 40 tanks.