Russia and France will sign contracts for construction of third and fourth Mistral -class assault landing ships for Russian Navy in the current year, reports RIA Novosti on Sept 7 referring to the statement of defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov.
“Most likely, we will finish the negotiations and sign those contracts in this year” , reports RIA Novosti citing Serdiukov .
According to Russian defense minister, third and fourth Mistral s will be built in Russia.
Recall that the EUR 1.2-bln contract for two Mistral -class assault landing ship s for Russian Navy was signed on June 17, 2011 at XV St. Petersburg International Economic Forum after months of painstaking negotiations. According to the contract terms, Mistral s will be built by French shipyards DCNS with participation of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation . The first ship is expected to join Russian navy in three years.
Reference
Full displacement of Mistral -class assault landing ship is 21,300 tons; speed is 19 knots; capacity is 450 marines and 59 land vehicles (including 13 tanks), 16 heavy helicopters (or about 30 light ones) including six on the flight deck, 4 boats or 2 fast speed air-cushion vessels; hull length is 199 meters; beam is 32 meters; draft is 6.3 meters; fuel range at 15 knots is about 20,000 miles; crew is 160 including 20 officers.
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Source: Rusnavy, September 8, 2011;