France agreed to sell heli-carrier to Russia

14.10.2009
French authorities consented to sell Mistral class helicopter carrier to Russia, says French Les Echos referring to unnamed sources. The transaction value is $400-500 mln.

Official Paris will present its proposal to Moscow in the nearest future and further course of negotiations will depend on Russia's reply expected to be made in November. In case of successful talks, Severnaya Verf shipyard in St. Petersburg will probably become the Russian side of transaction which is a member of United Shipbuilding Corporation.

France is going to deliver weapon system to Russia for the first time, says the newspaper. The vessel will be constructed at STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, Atlantic coast.

Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Vladimir Popovkin had previously declared intention of the ministry not only to buy one or two French heli-carriers but also make arrangements about building of such ships in Russia. This matter is to be mentioned in prospective delivery contract of the vessel, quotes Les Echos.

Currently, French Navy possesses two Mistral-class assault helicopter carriers: Mistral and Tonnerre. The third one is being constructed. Displacement of Mistral-type ships is 16 500 t, total displacement is 21 300 t, ballast displacement is 32300 t, length is 199 m, beam is 32 m, draft is 6.3 m, speed is 18.8 knots, endurance is 10 800 km at 18 knots and 19 800 km at 15 knots, crew is 160 men. Capacity: 2 landing air-cushion ships, 4 transport barges, 59 armor vehicles or 40 Leclerc tanks, 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters, 900 marines while short-term deployment or 450 men if long-term deployment. Armament: 2 Simbad AD systems, 2 30-mm Breda-Mauser artillery systems, 4 12.7-mm M2-HB Browning machineguns.

Source: RusNavy.com, photo: Mistral (warshipsifr.com)