Russia sees progress in Mistral talks – head of presidential administration

19.05.2011 Russia notices progress in negotiations on Mistral procurement contract, said the head of Russian president's administration Sergei Naryshkin summarizing his meeting with French foreign minister Alain Juppe and the Elysee's secretary general Xavier Musca.

Naryshkin paid working visit to France on Monday and Tuesday. He met with foreign minister, held the first session of Russian-French cultural steering committee along with Minister for European Affairs Laurent Wauquiez, and met with his French counterpart.

According to Naryshkin, the issue of Mistral sale was also discussed. "The latest talks were held in the past week, the partners conducted consultations. The progress is apparent, so we're quite optimistic", said Naryshkin. "So far, I have no information of the contract-signing date", added the head of Russian president's administration.

Intergovernmental agreement on procurement of Mistral class assault landing ship was signed on Jan 25, 2011 in Saint-Nazaire (France). It specified neither deadlines nor costs of the future contract; they will be set in a separate agreement between Rosoboronexport and DCNS. The contract is evaluated at least as EUR 1.5 bln, reminds ITAR-TASS.

The matter of debates is two NATO standard command systems on board the ship – tactical data system Zenith-9 and fleet control system SIC-21 (the only French carrier Charles de Gaulle is equipped with it).

Assault landing ship Mistral has 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. The ship is also capable to accommodate 450 marines, 13 main battle tanks or 70 wheeled trucks. Air wing includes 16 helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck.