Russia to settle Mistral issue in Feb

04.02.2010
In Feb 2010 Russia will conclude whether to purchase French Mistral-class helicopter carrier, reports Interfax referring to military diplomatic source in Moscow.

Procurement is probable, although arguments against it are also quite weighty. If Russia makes positive decision, it will buy heli-carrier along with construction technologies, added the source.

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 – in 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 Tonnere (defenseindustrydaily.com)