On 17 March, it was the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius who feared a possible freeze on supply. Moscow replied that it would comply with Paris' wishes only after receiving the $ 1,6 billion check already cashed to purchase the two ships. At the same juncture, however, Fabius noted that the loss of the contract with Moscow would negatively affect the French economy.
According to the contract, the Russian Navy should receive its first 'Mistral' class amphibious assault helicopter carrier from France on November 15st. The 'Vladivostok', under construction at the DCNS shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, was launched on October XNUMXth.
Russia and France signed in the 2011, a contract of 1,6 billion dollars for two Mistral class helicopter carriers.
Each Russian 'Mistral' class 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', second contract is expected to join the Black Sea Fleet by 2015.
Franco Iacch
(in the photo: a 'Mistral' class - source: Marine nationale)
