07.09.2009
Moscow takes interest to Holland-made ship Johan de Vitt–type, as said the leadership of Damen Schelde, Dutch shipyard.
As the shipyard director Hein van Ameiden reported to
Kommersant, the multipurpose amphibious ship which will possibly be purchased by Russia in the nearest future was shown at international navy exhibition
IMDS in St. Petersburg late June. The Russian Navy delegation thoroughly inspected the ship there and was satisfied with its design. In case of making contract with Moscow, Holland is ready to construct four ships of that type for Russian partners.
On August, 4 it was reported about Russia's plans to buy French
Mistral-type helicopter amphibious assault ships. Nikolai Makarov, Chief of RF General Staff officially confirmed that information on August, 26.
The head of General Staff motivated the purchase of the ship which may be used in amphibious operations. As he said, Russia currently has no ships of that class. "I think, there's no country able to produce everything on the top technological level. Anyway, we need to buy something", - the General said.
Meanwhile, Makarov didn't mention anything about alternative requests of Russian Navy, alternative proposals of shipbuilding companies and other countries' governments either. However, according to the Federal Procurement Regulations, ministerial officials may issue a tender. Especially as the question is the largest order in the Navy history.
In this case Dutch shipyard
Damen Schelde is able to compete against French state company
DCNS which is the
Mistral shipbuilder. Besides, Spanish
Navantia with its project of
Galicia-type multipurpose amphibious ship will most probably participate in the tender, reports
Kommersant.
All three companies severely compete against themselves at naval weapons market. In 2008
DCNS and
Schelde insistently contested the Morocco's order for corvettes. That time
Schelde got the order despite the fact that French MIC traditionally has strong positions in North Africa. Last year
Navantia defeated
DCNS in Australian tender for purchase an amphibious assault ship. Australians have refused the
Mistral.
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