The two Mistral-class helicopter carriers Sevastopol (Bottom) and Vladivostok are seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France © Stephane Mahe / Reuters
RT: Egypt to buy Mistral warships originally built for Russia from France
France has agreed to sell two Mistral helicopter carriers to Egypt, which were originally ordered by Russia.
"They agreed on the principle and the terms of the acquisition by Egypt of the two [ships]," the French President Francois Hollande’s spokesman told reporters in a statement on Wednesday.
The deal was agreed at a high-profile meeting between French and Egyptian delegations in Paris. The final decision was announced by the president’s office on Wednesday, though the cost of the deal has not been released.
It had earlier been reported that several countries had been interested in purchasing the amphibious carriers, which were originally built for the Russians. The interested parties included Canada, India, Singapore and Egypt, who Paris eventually agreed to sell the ships to. However, negotiations between the two sides almost broke down last week, as Paris and Cairo could not agree on a price for the two vessels, reported La Tribune newspaper.
WNU Editor: It looks like there will be Russian built helicopters on these ships .... Source: Egypt buys 50 Russian Alligator helicopters, deck-based version may be supplied (TASS).
More News On France Confirming The Sale Of 2 Disputed Mistral Warships To Egypt
Egypt will buy both Mistral helicopter carriers that France originally built for Russia -- TASS
France Confirms Sale of Two Mistrals Built for Russia to Egypt -- Sputnik
France sells 2 disputed Mistral warships to Egypt after Russia deal derailed -- AP
France's Hollande, Sisi agree on sale of Mistral warships to Egypt -- Reuters
France to sell Mistral warships to Egypt instead of Russia -- Deutsche Welle
France Says Egypt to Buy Mistral Warships -- AFP
France to sell Egypt two warships previously contracted to Russia -- CNN
Egypt agrees to buy warships built for Russia from France -- BBC
France to Sell Two Mistral Warships to Egypt -- WSJ
Egypt, Not Russia, To Purchase Mistral-Class Ships From France? Talks Underway In Paris Over Massive Military Deal -- IBTimes
France to Sell Mistral Amphibs to Egypt -- USNI
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWon't egypt in turn sell these ships to the Russians? Why would a desert country like Egypt need this type of vessel for?
ReplyDeleteAndrew,
ReplyDeleteEgypt has around 1,800 miles of coast lines, much of it used by smugglers and ISIS and ISIS related groups.