RF, France to ink 2 Mistral helicopter carriers contract St Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, June 17 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia and France will sign on
Friday on the fields of the St. Petersburg international economic forum a
contract on supplies of two Mistral helicopter carriers.
The value of the contract is 1 billion 120 million euros, a source
close to negotiations told Itar-Tass on Thursday.
"Of this amount, 980 million will be spent on the construction of
ships' hulls, and the remaining amount includes the cost of crew training,
adaptation of documentation and licenses for three technologies, including
the SENIT-9."
The source explained that under the contract the first two ships will
be built at shipyards of the DCNS French shipbuilding corporation in
Saint-Nazaire.
"A total of 24 blocks for these ships will be built at Russian
shipyards and transported to France," the source added. He explained that
Rosoboronexport and the DCNS had agreed to build two more helicopter
carriers Mistral at Russian shipyards. "If the Defense Ministry decides on
a third and fourth ship by the end of this year, its price will be fixed,
if not, then most likely the ship will cost more," he said.
As Itar-Tass previously reported, the contract for the purchase of two
helicopter carriers Mistral may be signed on June 17 on the sidelines of
the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
The universal amphibious assault ship Mistral is designed to transport
troops and cargos, land assault forces and be used as a command ship. Its
displacement is over 20 thousand tonnes, hull length - 210 meters and full
speed, over 18 knots. Its maximum fuel endurance is 20 thousand miles. The
helicopter carrier is capable of accommodating up to 450 troops. The
helicopter group includes 16 aircraft, six of which can be simultaneously
placed on the flight deck. The ship has four light landing craft and two
hovercraft.
Mistral ships are already in service in the French Navy. In
particular, they are involved in NATO's naval blockade of Libya.
As Russia's Defense Ministry said previously, it is estimated that at
least one Mistral ship will be used in the Pacific Fleet and the other one
- in the Northern Fleet.