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Photo: Mistral-type helicopter carrier Tonnerre.
Russian Navy needs such ships as Mistral, especially for Pacific Fleet to increase mobility of forces deployed at the Far East, reported Tuesday RIA Novosti referring to General of the Army Nikolai Makarov, Chief of the General Staff.
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General Staff: Mistral-type ships are primarily in demand at the Far East
06/09/2010 |
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Makarov delivered a speech at Tuesday's session of the defense and security committee at the Federation Council.
"We need such ship to increase mobility of forces at the Pacific theater taking into account geographical size of the region and lack of sufficient covering force there, in particular at Kuril Islands", said Makarov.
According to the general, the biggest landing ships in Russia's inventory – Ivan Rogov class – are 4-5 times smaller than Mistrals.
Negotiations with France on procurement of Mistral-type carriers are held in a quite successful way, and the parties are close to signing an agreement, pointed out Makarov.
Mikhail Dmitriev, director of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) previously reported to RIA Novosti that political decision on procurement of Mistral-type ships had been already made; Russian party would be ready to sign the contract by the end of 2010.
Russian Navy is interested in Mistral-type carriers primarily as a command ships, said Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief in interview to RIA Novosti. Buying the ships in France, Russia seeks to obtain advanced technology with the view to build such carriers at national shipyards.
According to French media, one Mistral-type helicopter carrier will cost 400-500 mln euro. The carrier will be built at STX France shipyards (former Chantiers de l'Atlantique) in Saint-Nazaire. French defense concern DCNS will be involved as a partner. Currently, French Navy has two carriers of this type – Mistral and Tonnerre.
Multipurpose helicopter carrier Mistral has displacement of 21,000 tons; extreme hull length of 210 meters; max speed of 18 knots; operating range up to 20,000 miles; crew of 160 plus 450-man landing party.
Air group consists of 16 helicopters; 6 of them can be simultaneously placed on the takeoff deck. Cargo deck can contain over 40 tanks or 70 trucks.