09.02.2010
France has approved export of one Mistral-class helicopter carrier to Russia and received from Russian General Staff a technical inquiry for delivery of three more ships of that class, informs France Presse citing Jacques de Lajugie, head of international development at the French arms agency DGA.
Officially, Russia's inquiry has not been received yet, noted Mr. Lajugie. France will make decision on delivery of new ships at the highest political level; it will be promulgated in the nearest future.
A military diplomatic source in Moscow had previously reported to
Interfax that Russia would conclude whether to purchase French
Mistral-class helicopter carrier in Feb 2010.
According to the source, if Russia makes positive decision it will buy heli-carrier along with construction technologies.
Late 2009 the top-ranking official from Russian Navy Main HQ reported to
RIA Novosti that Russia was planning to purchase French helicopter carrier
Mistral and construction technologies to build about four ships of that class at domestic shipyards.
At present, French Navy has two
Mistral-class landing crafts –
Mistral and
Tonnerre. One more ship is under construction now. Ships of this class are built at shipyards in Brest (
Brest Arsenal) and Saint-Nazaire. Displacement of a
Mistral-class ship is 16,500 tons; total displacement is 21,300 tons, load displacement is 32,300 tons; length is 199 meters; beam is 32 meters; draft is 6.3 meters; speed is 18.8 knots; operating range is 10,800 km at 18 knots and 19,800 km at 15 knots; crew is 160. Capacity is 2 air-cushion landing ships; 4 transport barges; 59 vehicles or 40
Leclerc tanks; 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters; 900 marines for short period and 450 – while long-term cruises. Armament: 2
Simbad air defense systems, 2 x 30-mm
Breda-Mauser gun mounts, 4 x 12.7-mm
M2-HB Browning machineguns. Except Russia, such countries have shown interest to buy
Mistral-class ships as Republic of South Africa, Germany, Canada, Malaysia, and Sweden. Reportedly, cost of one
Mistral-class ship makes 400-500 mln euro.
Source: RusNavy.com, photo: helicopter carrier Tonnerre (militaryphotos.net)
