Russia to get Mistrals fully-equipped, defense ministry says

14.04.2011 Holding negotiations with France on Mistral ships procurement, Russia has achieved agreement that the ships will be constructed with all appropriate systems and equipment, reports RIA Novosti on Wednesday referring to defense ministry's top-ranking official.

"During bilateral talks French party did consider Russia's requirements that the ships must be equipped with all shipborne systems satisfying demands of Russian Navy", said the interviewee.

Earlier on, some Russian news agencies reported negotiations were deadlocked allegedly because French party had refused to sell ships with all combat systems.

"Russia prepares for purchase of Mistral class assault landing ships gradually and systematically within the framework of negotiations", said the official.

He underlined that the agreement mentioned by numerous media agencies implies state contract for delivery of two Mistral ships, spare parts, tools, accessories, and appropriate service documentation.

"This contract also provides delivery of materials and equipment, rendering services to build two ships in Russia, and grants a right to use working construction documentation to the orderer (Russian defense ministry)", added the interviewee.

Russia and France officially declared late in Dec 2010 that the consortium of United Shipbuilding Corporation (Russia) and DCNS (France) would build two Mistral-type ships in Saint-Nazaire and other two – under license in Russia. The tender was issued in Oct 2010 by Russian defense ministry.

Intergovernmental agreement on Mistral ships procurement was signed on Jan 25, 2011 in Saint-Nazaire. The document specifies neither deadlines nor costs of the future contract; they will be set in another agreement to be tied between Rosoboronexport and DCNS. Earlier on, deputy defense minister for international cooperation Anatoly Antonov told to RIA Novosti that the document would unlikely be signed in the short term.

Previous to that, deputy defense minister Vladimir Popovkin said the contract was evaluated as at least EUR 1.5 bln. A source involved in the negotiations told to RIA Novosti in Dec 2010 that the first Mistral would be built for Russia in France late in 2013 or early in 2014; the second one – late in 2014 or early in 2015. Russia's portion in the first ship construction will be 20%, the second one – 40%. Other two ships are supposed to be built in Russia under French license.

Mistral class assault landing ship has a displacement of 21,000 tons; overall length is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; fuel range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing consists of 16 helicopters; six of them can be placed on the flight deck at a time.