France will build two helicopter carriers for Russia
Two Mistral helicopter carriers for Russia will be built at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.
"We are continuing negotiations over the contract, but the very fact that the construction will be carried out is beyond doubt," Interfax quotes the text of Sarkozy's speech to STX shipyard employees.
Note that Russia has not yet confirmed the final conclusion of the deal on helicopter carriers.
"The deal has already been" made "in the public field, but no specific decisions on the purchase of Mistrals have been made, funds have not been allocated for the purchase, there has been no decision by Rosoboronzakaz," said a representative of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
“In addition, it was initially planned to create a joint venture between KB Almaz and the French industrial corporation Thales Group for the production of radio electronics for the Mistrals. That is, the main task was and, we hope, remains the transfer of Western advanced technologies to Russian shipyards, the expansion of experience,”he said.
# {weapon} Earlier, the representative of USC Igor Ryabov said that the company is ready to build a Korean analogue of the French helicopter carrier Mistral at its shipyards in three years. The corporation appealed to the FAS and the Ministry of Defense with a request to consider the feasibility of purchasing such ships, noting that there are more competitive ships.
“We are interested in the construction of warships, and not in their purchase,” added the agency's interlocutor at USC.
As reported by the VZGLYAD newspaper, Moscow and Paris are discussing a deal on French Mistral-class helicopter carriers. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has stated that the purchase of the Mistral is interesting for Russia only if there is a parallel technology transfer. In turn, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reported that Russia wants to get four such ships: one ready-made, and three more - to build under a French license at Russian shipyards. In the spring, the French Ministry of Defense reported that Mistral-class helicopter carriers, by the decision of the country's president, in the event of a sale to Russia, would be supplied without weapons.
The Mistral helicopter carrier has a total displacement of 21,000 tons, a length of 200 meters, a width of 32 meters, a speed of 19 knots, and a cruising range of 20,000 miles. It is capable of carrying six helicopters on the deck, inside the hull - four landing boats or two hovercraft, as well as up to 450 troops. According to preliminary data from Russian and French experts, the cost of one helicopter carrier for the Russian Navy will be from 400 to 500 million euros.
"We are buying an idea"
“The French industry can build the Mistral in two to three years, and if you order ours, it will take seven to eight years. If these two ships are built for the Russian fleet, they can be redesigned for our weapons systems,”Andrei Frolov, a researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told VZGLYAD newspaper.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Friday that two Mistral helicopter carriers for Russia will be built at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. According to him, the parties continue negotiations over the contract, but "the very fact that the construction will be carried out is beyond doubt."
The position of the Russian side was that only one ship should be built at the French shipyard, and three more - in Russia under license. The VZGLYAD newspaper turned to Andrey Frolov, a researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, with a request to explain the reasons for the changes.
Andrei Lvovich, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the construction of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers at French shipyards for the Russian fleet. Earlier, the Russian leadership insisted that the French side transfer one built ship, and three were made in Russia. How can you explain such concessions?
Andrei Frolov: Earlier it was announced that the entire set of drawings and, as far as I understand, the combat information management system would be received. I think that's the whole point.
In addition, the ship will be adapted for our helicopters, because tests have shown that its hangars are too low for our machines.
Will this adaptation affect weapons systems?
AF: We do not know, maybe this is where the whole thing will end and they will no longer be built in Russia, but if these two ships are built for the Russian fleet, they can be redesigned for our weapons systems.
Apart from the issue of technology transfer, is there a fundamental difference between building ships in France or in Russia?
AF: The main thing is that the French industry can build them in two or three years, and if you order ours, it will take seven or eight years.
How important do you think this ship is for the Russian fleet?
AF: To be honest, their purpose is still not clear. The version is voiced that these will be floating command posts to improve the quality of command and control in the Far East. From there, they will control the formations of ships, the Ground Forces, that is, the united groupings.
Will the technologies that the Russian side receive be used in the construction of other types of ships?
AF: It's hard to say. It all depends on how the Mistral will be operated by our fleet, how it will show itself.
How long does it take to draw conclusions regarding its functions?
AF: At least a year of operation, possibly several years. We buy an idea. Nobody knows yet how it will be implemented.
