Russia, France could sign Mistral deal no earlier than 2012 - source
MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax-AVN) - A contract on the purchase of Mistral-type helicopter carriers from France for the Russian Navy will unlikely be signed before the end of the year, a source familiar with the situation told Interfax-AVN on Thursday.
"Given the scope of the deal, which amounts to 1.5 billion euros, as well as bearing in mind the need for the sides to finish formulating a regulatory and legal framework for the implementation of this contract, it could be signed no earlier than 2012," the source said.
"A round of talks with French partners on the delivery of Mistral ships to Russia took place last week. I can say that pre-contract work has been going according to plan," he said.
Russian and French government officials signed an agreement on the purchase of Mistral-type helicopter carriers in Saint Nazaire, France, on January 25, 2011. However, the price of the deal and a timeframe for implementing it will be named in a separate agreement, which should be signed by Russia's state arms trader Rosoboronexport and the DCNS company, the prime naval shipyard for the French Navy. The price of the contract has been estimated at at least 1.5 billion euros.
The Mistral multifunctional helicopter carrier has the standard displacement of 21,000 tonnes, the maximum length of 210 meters, the beam of 32 meters and the draft of 6.2 meters. The maximum speed is 18.8 knots, and the voyage range is 19,800 miles.
The ship carries 16 helicopters (including eight landing helicopters and eight assault helicopters). Six helicopters can be placed on the ship's deck simultaneously. Also the ship carries four light landing cutters or two air-cushion landing cutters.
The ship has a hospital with 69 beds and carries up to 150 staff officers. The crew size is 160, including 20 officers.
According to unofficial sources, the ship costs about 600 million euros.