Isaikin: Mistral contract will take effect in 3 months

21.06.2011 Russian government's resolution bringing into force the Russian-French procurement contract for two Mistral class ships will be issued in three months; after that the contract will be considered effective, said the head of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin.

"This [government resolution] will take about three months", he said at the Le Bourget air show. As for Isaikin, after this time "one can say the contract is in effect".

Isaikin added that the first ship would be constructed in France for Russia in 2014. As for him, one ship will be ready in 36 months, the second one – in 48 months since the contract takes effect.

Last Friday Rosoboronexport and French state-led shipbuilding company DCNS in the presence of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev signed the procurement contract for two Mistral class helicopter carriers. The contract sum made EUR 1.2 bln, said Isaikin at the press conference.

Construction of Mistrals for Russia will start right after advance payment, told a DCNS representative to RIA Novosti at the same press conference. The French shipyard plans to deliver the first ship in 2014, and the second – in 2015.

Isaikin earlier said that the signed contract contained an option for third and fourth ships; however, the option specifies no details. Initially, there were talks on four Mistrals; two were supposed to be constructed in France, other two – in Russia.

Mistral class assault landing ship 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 plus 450 marines. Air wing includes 16 helicopters; six of them can be placed on the flight deck.