Mistral contract won't be signed this year

29.04.2011 Procurement contract for two French Mistral class assault landing ships for Russian Navy will be signed not earlier than the next year, since its preparation is very complicated and long process, writes Military Industrial Review.

Speaking of political decision whether to buy French helicopter carriers, it has been made long ago, reports Military Industrial Review referring to Russian leaders.

At present, routine pre-contract work is in progress; it will take several months and, probably, years. Hundreds of items are being negotiated step by step with the view to find compromise variants.

Director General of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin also said the preparation of Mistral contract is a long-lasting process. "Deadlines are conjecture. When hundreds of millions are at stake, such contracts need years of negotiations. It is ridiculous to expect the contract to be signed within months", he said.

An agreement providing construction of two Mistral class assault landing ships in Saint-Nazaire (France) and two – in Russia under license was signed in Dec 2010. Nowadays, French Navy operates two Mistral class landing ships; the third one is under construction. According to unofficial information, cost of one ship is about EUR 600 mln.