The agreement was questioned after the economic sanctions imposed by the West against Russia due to its "alleged" involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
The "Mistral" affair is complicated and not a little complicated. The delivery to the Russians of the first boat, the 'Vladivostok', was initially set for the next November 15, a term then postponed to an unspecified date of the current year. The West fears the rapid attack capability that Russia would acquire with the two French helicopter carriers.
The letter reads.
"France should refuse to transfer these warships to Russia. We renew our call for NATO to buy warships, turning them into a common good for the Organization. "
A similar letter was sent by the United States Congress to former NATO secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen last May.
To the two letters, we add the affirmations of a few days ago by the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls that "the conditions for the delivery of the helicopter carrier would not have been fulfilled". Moscow preferred not to comment, at least until now, the risk of the States US.
Also French President Francois Hollande, last September, hypothesized the freezing of the "Mistrals" to Russia. Moscow replied that it would respect Paris's wishes only after receiving the 1,6 billion-dollar check already collected by the French to buy the two ships. At that juncture, the French Foreign Minister Laurent noted that the loss of the contract with Moscow would have negatively affected the French economy.
The 'Vladivostok', was built at the DCNS shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, and the 15 was launched last October. Russia and France signed in the 2011, a contract of 1,6 billion dollars for two Mistral class helicopter carriers. Each Russian 'Mistral' will carry sixteen Kamov Ka-52K attack helicopters, fourteen Ka-29 transport helicopters, four assault ships or seventy armored vehicles and 450 soldiers. The second Mistral-class ship, the 'Sevastopol', according to contract should become part of the Black Sea Fleet by the 2015.
Franco Iacch
(photo: DCNS frame)
