France to Lay Down First Mistral for Russia Early Feb 2012

25.01.2012 First Mistral-class ship for Russian Navy will be laid down early Feb in France, reported RIA Novosti on Jan 24 referring to Alexander Fomin, deputy director of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation.

Agreement on Mistral ships is one of the largest contracts in the history of Russian-French military cooperation.

"Keel laying of the first of two Mistral-class ships will take place at French shipyard in Saint-Nazaire early in February. Russian party has already received invitation to official ceremony", said the interviewee.

He added that Russia had transferred advance late in 2011. When the payment is transferred, the contract is considered effective. All preparatory works are over, and official keel-laying ceremony will be held in February, said Fomin.

Moscow and Paris signed the EUR 1.2-bln contract for two Mistrals in June 2011. The first ship is planned to join Russian Navy in 2014, and the second one – in 2015.

Hulls of the third and fourth Mistrals are expected to be built in Russia; this issue is being presently negotiated. Defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov said in summer 2011 that pre-contractual preparation of the new agreement would finish in the first quarter of 2012.

The second pair of ships will be 80% built by Russia and 20% - by France, said Director General of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin in Sept 2011.

Displacement of Mistral-class assault landing ship is 21,000 tons; length overall is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operating range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing comprises 16 helicopters including six placed on the flight deck. Russian Mistrals will be armed with eight Ka-52K and eight Ka-29 helicopters.