Russia will not have its Mistral ships. A few weeks ago, in a private meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Francois Hollande, the heads of state reached an agreement to terminate the contract.
India, a historic Russian ally, could benefit from the contract for the supply of 36 fighter Rafale and decide to buy the two ships. Before India, France had offered the two Mistrals to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Canada, China and the United States.
The history of the Mistral
The contract for the two French Mistral class helicopter carriers was signed in the 2011. The Kremlin broke a check from 1,6 billion dollars (amount paid in full), but the agreement was questioned after the economic sanctions imposed by the West against Russia because of its "alleged" involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.
The delivery to the Russians of the first boat, the 'Vladivostok', was initially set for the 15 last November, the deadline then shifted. The West, in fact, feared the rapid attack capability that Russia could have acquired with the two French helicopter carriers.
The same French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on the matter expressed himself saying that "the conditions for the delivery of the helicopter carrier would not have been fulfilled". French President Francois Hollande also feared the freezing of the "Mistrals" in Russia last September.
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 for two Mistral class helicopter carriers.
Each Russian 'Mistral' would have had to transport 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 would have been due to enter service with the Black Sea Fleet by the 2015.
(photo: Marine nationale)
