Russia, France sign a $1.7bn deal for 2 Mistral warships
Russia and France signed on June 17, 2011 a $1.7 billion (EUR1.2 bn) contract on two French-built Mistral class amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy, RIA Novosti reported.
The deal was signed in St. Petersburg by Anatoly Isaikin, Director of Russia's Rosoboronexport state-controlled arms exporter, and Patrick Boissier, President & CEO of France's DCNS Corp., who are contracted to build the warships.
The signing ceremony was overseen by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
The first warship is scheduled for delivery in 2014, the second - in 2015, DCNS said.
French President Nicolas Sarcozy hailed the contract as a sign of strategic partnership between the two countries.
"The signing of the contract... points to a strategic level of cooperation between France and Russia, as well as the constant support that it gets from the heads of state," the Elysee Palace said in a communique.
The project will provide 1,000 jobs over the course of four years, the Palace said.
The warships will be equipped with Russian weapon systems, Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said.
Russia and France in January signed an intergovernmental agreement to build two Mistral class helicopter carriers at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Another two are planned to be constructed later in Russia.
A Mistral class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.
The deal was signed in St. Petersburg by Anatoly Isaikin, Director of Russia's Rosoboronexport state-controlled arms exporter, and Patrick Boissier, President & CEO of France's DCNS Corp., who are contracted to build the warships.
The signing ceremony was overseen by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
The first warship is scheduled for delivery in 2014, the second - in 2015, DCNS said.
French President Nicolas Sarcozy hailed the contract as a sign of strategic partnership between the two countries.
"The signing of the contract... points to a strategic level of cooperation between France and Russia, as well as the constant support that it gets from the heads of state," the Elysee Palace said in a communique.
The project will provide 1,000 jobs over the course of four years, the Palace said.
The warships will be equipped with Russian weapon systems, Navy chief Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky said.
Russia and France in January signed an intergovernmental agreement to build two Mistral class helicopter carriers at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Another two are planned to be constructed later in Russia.
A Mistral class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.
