State-led JSC Rosoboronexport will control construction of Mistral-class ships built in France for Russian Navy, the head of JSC Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin told reporters on Feb 2.
The contract for two Mistral-class assault landing docks was tied in June 2011 in St. Petersburg. The contract cost is EUR 1.2 bln. The first ship is expected to join Russian Navy in 2014, and the second one – in 2015.
“A working group will be set to control the shipbuilding process on rotational basis” , Isaikin said.
As for him, the second pair of Mistrals will be upon defense ministry and United Shipbuilding Corporation, and Rosoboronexport will only participate in deliveries of some imported equipment for those ships.
Hulls of the third and fourth Mistrals are to be built in Russia. Defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov said last summer that pre-contractual preparation for the new agreement would finish in the first quarter of 2012.
Isaikin said in Sept 2011 that second pair of Mistrals would be 80% built in Russia and 20% – in France.
Displacement of Mistral-class assault landing ship is 21,000 tons; length overall is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operating range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing comprises 16 helicopters including six placed on the flight deck. Russian Mistrals will be armed with eight Ka-52K and eight Ka-29 helicopters.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, February 6, 2012; Image: Navy