Russia Got The Tech Behind France's Mistral Amphibious Assault Ships For Nothing

© AFP 2017/ GEORGES GOBET

Sputnik: He Who Laughs Last, Laughs Best: Russia Ended Up Getting Mistral Tech for Free

The Russian-Egyptian deal on the sale of Ka-52K attack helicopters has reportedly reached the final stretch. Talks on the price of the choppers, to be used aboard Egypt's Mistral amphibious assault ships, are expected to begin later this month. Military expert Alexander Sitnikov explains how Russia ended up winning on the Mistral deal after all.

Analysts consider the Ka-52K Katran naval attack helicopters to be the optimal choice for Egypt's Mistrals because they were specifically designed to be carried aboard the French-made amphibious assault ships. French shipbuilders had built the two Mistral ships for Russia, but the deal fell through in 2015 amid deteriorating relations and pressure on Paris from Washington.

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WNU Editor: The entire Mistral deal with Russia was not one of France's better moments.

A Look At The France - Russia - Egypt Mistral Deal

Wall Street Pit: How Egypt Got Russia’s Warships

Nobody cooks quite like the French, so it is no surprise that President Francois Hollande has come up with his own recipe to promote democracy in Egypt.

Step one: Sell advanced warships to the country’s military strongman, Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Regardless of how the recipe comes out, the deal is likely to leave a bad taste in the mouth of France’s NATO allies. But you can’t please everyone.

In late September, Hollande announced that Egypt plans to buy the two Mistral warships France had originally built for Russia. Egypt will pay 950 million euros (about $1 billion) for the pair of warships, with a “significant” amount of the financing coming from its ally Saudi Arabia. This is a slight discount from the 1.2 billion euros Russia had planned to pay.

WNU Editor: As I always enjoy commenting on these type of stories .... "its always about the money".

France Confirms Sale Of 2 Disputed Mistral Warships To Egypt After Its Russian Deal Derailed

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

Russia's Computer Systems Removed After Cancelled Mistral Ship Deal

The two Mistral-class helicopter carriers Sevastopol (L) and Vladivostok are seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France, May 25, 2015. REUTERS/STEPHANE MAHE

IBTimes: Mistral Warships: Russian Military To Dismantle Computers, Radar, Specialist Equipment After Canceled Deal

A team of Russian military engineers arrived in France Tuesday to begin the process of taking back specialist computer systems that were installed on the two Mistral warships before the defense deal was formally canceled in early August, according to a Kremlin military source who spoke with Russian news agency Tass. While France looks for a potential buyer for the $1.2 billion helicopter landing ships, it will also need to spend hundreds of millions replacing the unique Russian systems that are being taken away.

Computer systems, specialist radar, sonar and communication devices will also have to be removed from both ships, previously known as the Sevastopol and the Vladivostok.

WNU Editor: This computer system was probably designed to function only in a Mastral ship ... so dismantling it is probably Russia's way to insure that this tech does not find itself on some workbench in some U.S. military/intelligence agency's warehouse. In the meantime .... France is trying to sell these ships to Malaysia .... France to discuss Mistral sale to Malaysia - source (Reuters).

Which Headline Is Correct?

The Vladivostok warship, a Mistral class LHD amphibious vessel ordered by Russia, sits in a shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, western France, May 9, 2014 (AFP Photo/Jean-Sebastien Evrard)

AFP: 'No difficulty' for France to find Mistral buyers: Hollande

Ismailiya (Egypt) (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande said Thursday there would be "no difficulty" in finding new buyers for two Mistral warships that had been sold to Russia before Paris scrapped the deal.

Paris refused to deliver the warships to Moscow in response to Russia's alleged aggression in Ukraine last year.

"There will be no difficulty in finding buyers," Hollande told reporters in the Egyptian canal city of Ismailiya, where he attended a ceremony to inaugurate an expanded Suez Canal.

Two of the 200-metre (650-foot) amphibious helicopter-carriers were due for delivery to Russia by the end of this year in a deal worth an estimated 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion).

The Sevastopol mistral warship, pictured here on March 16, 2015, is one of two mammoth warships that France hopes to resell after a cancelled delivery to Russia (AFP Photo/Georges Gobet)

AFP: 'Extremely difficult' for France to sell Mistral warships: experts

Paris (AFP) - After cancelling the sale to Russia, France finds itself lumbered with two giant Mistral warships which it will find "extremely difficult" to re-sell and cannot afford to keep, say experts.

The pair of 200-metre (650-foot) amphibious helicopter-carriers were due for delivery to Russia by the end of this year in a deal worth an estimated 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion).

Instead, they are docked in the western French port at St Nazaire after Paris put the deal on ice in response to Russia's aggression in Ukraine last year.

The deal was formally cancelled on Wednesday, and within hours French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said "several" countries had expressed an interest in buying the ships, without giving details.

WNU Editor: What's my take .... France will sell the ships but at a huge discount.

Russia And France Agree On Compensation Terms For Failed Mistral Ship Deal

Two Mistral-class helicopter carriers Sevastopol (L) and Vladivostok are seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France, May 21, 2015. REUTERS/STEPHANE MAHE

Defense News/AFP: Russia Says Mistral Compensation Deal Reached

MOSCOW — Russia has reached a compensation deal with France for the non-delivery of two Mistral warships, a Kremlin aide has said, but Paris on Friday refused to confirm a final agreement.

The fate of the two Mistral helicopter carriers has plagued France-Russia ties for more than a year, following Paris' decision in November to put the €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) deal on ice as the West slapped sanctions on
Moscow over its annexation of Crimea and alleged backing for separatist rebels in Ukraine.

"The negotiations are completely finished, everything has already been decided, both the time-frame and the amount," President Vladimir Putin's adviser for military and technical cooperation, Vladimir Kozhin, told state
news agency RIA Novosti on Thursday evening. "I hope we will sign the agreement on the termination of the contract as soon as possible."

WNU Editor: France is denying reports that a deal has been reached .... France Denies Russian Reports of Deal on Mistral Warship Compensation (Moscow Times/Reuters).

More News On Russia And France Agreeing On Compensation Terms For Failed Mistral Ship Deal

France, Russia reach Mistral compensation deal: RIA -- Reuters
Exposed: France Will Pay Russia $1.27 Billion for Mistral Non-Delivery -- Sputnik
Decision on Mistral helicopter carriers to be made by end of summer — French PM -- ITAR-TASS
France 'agrees to pay compensation' to Russia for cancelling delivery of $1.3bn helicopter carriers over Ukraine crisis -- Daily Mail
Mistral Military Ships Refund: Russia, France Agree To Terms For Undelivered Seacraft -- IBTimes
France and Russia ‘reach Mistral compensation deal’ -- Euronews
France, Russia in compensation deal on Mistral warships -- Deutsche Welle
Kremlin Aide Says Refund Deal Reached For Undelivered Mistral Warships -- Radio Free Europe
Collapse of Mistral deal to make Russia more pragmatic — lawmaker -- ITAR-TASS

France Negotiates With Russia On Mistral Ship Cancellation

IBTimes: France, Russia's Canceled Mistral Warships Deal Could Cost French Government Billions, Report Says

France’s cancellation of the sale of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia could ultimately cost the French government as much as 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion), according to a report released Thursday. French officials opted not to complete the deal late last year amid concerns over Russia’s military activity in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.

More News On France Is Now Negotiating With Russia On Mistral Ship Cancellation

France Offers $865M to Terminate Mistral Deal, Russia Demands $1.1B -- Defense World
France Submits Proposals to Terminate Deal on Mistral Ships With Russia -- Sputnik
France offers Mistral contract termination, hopes to get off cheap – report -- RT
Report: France Offers Russia €785M To Ditch Warship Deal -- Defense News/AFP
France offers Russia refund on undelivered Mistrals, report -- RFI
Russia says ready to accept cash from France instead of warships -- Reuters
Russia wants 1.163 billion euros from France for ending Mistral deal: source -- Reuters
France-Russia Mistral Warships Deal: Canceled Sale Not Considered Major Issue, Russian Officials Say -- IBTimes
Kremlin Sees No Problems in Mistral Contract – Spokesman -- Sputnik
Russia Ready To Take Cash From France Instead Of Warships -- RFE
France 'to Terminate Contract' with Russia on Mistrale Warships -- Novinite
Results of Consultations Between Russia, France on Mistral Expected by June -- Sputnik
4 Things France Can Do With Its Russian-Ordered Mistral Warships -- Matthew Bodner, Moscow Times

France, Russia Negotiating A Resolution To Their Mistral Deal

Mistral warship (the Vladivostok) moored in Saint Nazaire, France. © Mehdi Chebil, FRANCE 24

France 24: France 'negotiating with Russia' over Mistral deal

President Francois Hollande says France is continuing discussions with Russia about finalising a mammoth weapons deal following France’s decision to suspend delivery of a warship last year citing Russia’s role in stoking conflict in Ukraine.

"We are negotiating to find a way out of the crisis," Hollande said Sunday on French television Canal +, although he failed to elaborate further.

The Mistral-class helicopter carrier was part of the biggest arms sale ever by a NATO country to the Kremlin. But Russia’s actions in Ukraine have made the French government reconsider the billion-euro deal, even if it means refunding payments to Russia.

More News On France And Russia Negotiating A Resolution To Their Mistral Deal

France seeks to resolve Russian Mistral 'crisis': Hollande -- Reuters
France in talks with Russia to end Mistral row -- The Local
France, Russia negotiating solution to frozen warship deal: Hollande -- AFP
France, Russia Negotiating Resolution To Mistral Deal -- Radio Free Europe
France, Russia on the Way to Mistral Deal Solution - Hollande -- Sputnik

Russia Tells France To Deliver The Mistral Warship Or Give Back The Money

The two Mistral-class helicopter carriers Sevastopol (L) and Vladivostok are seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France, on Dec. 23, 2014. Stephane Mahe / Reuters

Mistral Delivered Or Money Back, Russia Tells France In Warship Deal Standoff -- ITAR-TASS

Everything is stipulated in the deal, including terms of delivery, penalty sanctions, procedures of how we can ask for a refund, Russia's deputy defense chief Anatoly Antonov says.

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. Russia's deputy defense chief has demanded that France honours its obligations to complete the suspended Mistral helicopter carrier warship contract or return Moscow's money.

France had joined western anti-Russian sanctions and military partnership was frozen, Anatoly Antonov told reporters on Wednesday. But the Mistral contract existed, he said. "Everything is stipulated in the deal, including terms of delivery, penalty sanctions, procedures of how we can ask for a refund."

"No Mistral, so bring back the money," Antonov said. "There is nothing personal in this issue. This is business. The contract is in effect and its terms should be fulfilled.”

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More News On Russia Telling France To Deliver The Mistral Warships Or Give Back The Money

Russia wants either Mistrals or money, but not awkward explanations -- Pravda
Russia says France must fulfill Mistral contract or return money: agency -- Reuters
Either Mistral ships or refund would equally suit Moscow - deputy defense minister -- RBTH
Russia tells France to hand over warship or return cash -- RFI
For Russia it is better to get money back than have Mistral ships — Rogozin -- ITAR-TASS
France’s Suspension of Mistral Delivery Not Unavoidable: Russian Deputy PM -- Sputnik
France shows its weakness by scrapping Mistral deal - Rogozin -- RT
France cannot resell Mistral-class ships without Russian consent - source -- Russia Beyond The Headlines
Impossible to Resell Mistral Warships Designed for Russian Navy: Official -- Sputnik

French Defense Minister: Russia May Never Receive Mistral Warships

French Defense Minister Says Russia May Never Receive Mistral Warships -- New York Times

PARIS — Two warships that France agreed to sell to Russia might never be delivered, the French defense minister said on Friday, drawing an angry response from Moscow, which said Paris must honor its contract in full.

The remarks by Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian came a week after President François Hollande said France would postpone the handover of the first of the ships to the Russian Navy “until further notice.”

“It is possible that we never deliver them,” Mr. Le Drian said in an interview on the news channel BFM TV. “The Russians must realize this situation.”

The Mistral-class ships are designed to transport several hundred troops to a battlefield by sea, along with the equipment and support they would need, including tanks and helicopters.

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More News On The French Defense Minister's Comments That Russia May Never Receive Mistral Warships

France may 'never deliver' Mistral warships to Russia -- France 24
France may never deliver Russia’s Mistral warships, defence minister -- RFI
Russia: France must follow through on warship delivery -- UPI
Lavrov: France 'Must Fulfill Obligations' Over Warship Delivery -- Defense News/AFP
Mistral issue is problem of France’s reputation — Lavrov -- ITAR-TASS
Russia Threatens Lawsuit After France Suspends Mistral Warship Delivery -- Moscow Times

Russia Tells France That Delays In Delivering The Mistral Carrier Will Damage Military Cooperation In The Future

© Sputnik. Danichev Alexe

Russia Says Mistral Delay Affects Future Military Cooperation -- Sputnik

Russian order of French ships was a display of trust on the Russian side, a gesture that even in the most important and complicated issues of security Moscow is willing to rely on its partners, Russian envoy to NATO said.

BRUSSELS, December 3 (Sputnik) — France's hesitancy to make good on its promised delivery of the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia have influenced Moscow's attitude towards military cooperation with its foreign partners, Russia's envoy to NATO, Alexander Grushko, said Wednesday.

"Of course the situation around the Mistral-class ships could not help but influence our attitude towards the possible cooperation with our partners in the military sphere," Grushko told journalists, reminding that Moscow has set a course for import substitution.

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More News On The Delay Of The French Mistral Carrier To Russia

Mistral problem to have impact on military cooperation -- ITAR-TASS
Delay in ‘Mistral’ deliveries causing France ‘significant cost’ - reports -- RT
Moscow demands the delivery of helicopter carriers from French navy -- CCTV
Future Mistral Crew to Stay in France Until Warship Handed Over to Russia -- Sputnik
Moscow hopes Paris will deliver Mistral ships -- Russia Beyond The Headlines
Lavrov: Controversy Around Mistral Deal Is France's Responsibility -- Sputnik
Russia doesn't rule out suing France over failed Mistral delivery -- ITAR-TASS

My Comment: Some people are having fun .... 'Buy the set!': Mistral warships go 'on sale' in Russian & French spoof ads (RT).

High Tech Equipment Stolen From French Mistral Helicopter Carrier That Is Being Built For Russia

© ITAR-TASS/Vadim Zhernov

'Non-Sensitive' Theft From Mistral Warship Earmarked For Russia -- Deutsche Welle

French authorities are investigating the theft of technical equipment from a warship whose delivery to Russia was scuppered by the conflict in Ukraine. The missing gear was said to be neither classified nor sensitive.

Two computer hard drives, a motherboard, and a graphics card contained within two central processing units were stolen from the Mistral helicopter carrier ordered by Russia and currently under construction in the Atlantic port of Saint-Nazaire.

Magistrate Fabienne Bonnet also clarified that the theft took place aboard the Sevastopol - the second of two Mistral-class vessels France is scheduled to deliver to Russia. The other ship, the completed Vladivostock, was initially set for delivery in October, but this has been suspended in light of developments in Ukraine. France's presidency confirmed the continued suspension of delivery "until further notice" on Tuesday.

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More News On the Theft Of High Tech Equipment From The French Mistral Helicopter Carrier That Is Being Built For Russia

Hi-tech equipment missing from warship France is building for Russia -- The Guardian
France: Electronic equipment stolen from Mistral helicopter carrier -- In Serbia News
Hi-tech gear stolen from Russia’s Mistral warship in France -- RT
Electronic equipment stolen from Mistral helicopter carrier built for Russia - media -- ITAR-TASS

Russia Gives France Until End Of November To Deliver Mistral Warship

Russia Gives France A Final Deadline To Hand Over The Mistral Warship -- Business Insider

Russia has given France until the end of November to deliver the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers currently stuck in a shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, according to reports.

The ship, the Vladivostok, was scheduled to be delivered on Friday, but that deadline is now certain to be missed. In response a senior Russian source told the state-owned news service Sputnik International that the French side had until the end of the month to hand over the ship or the whole deal could be in jeopardy.

"We are preparing for different variations. We'll wait until the end of the month, and then we'll make serious claims," the source told Sputnik.

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More News On The Russia - France Mistral Warship Deal

Moscow gives France until end of November to deliver warship -- AFP
Russia warns France of ‘serious’ consequences for carrier denial: report -- Washington Times
Russia to Seek $3 Billion in Fines from France over Mistral Carriers -- MINA
Russia prepared for any outcome of Mistral affair in relations with France — source -- ITAR-TASS
France Says Mistral Ship Won't Be Delivered To Russia; There Will Be No Handover -- IBTimes
France comes under US pressure over delivery of Mistral ships to Russia — French official -- ITAR-TASS
Moscow to seek damages if Mistral ship not delivered by end Nov - source -- RT
France hits back after Russia warns of Mistral compensation -- Reuters
‘Outraged’ French union urges Hollande to honor Mistral deal, 2,500 jobs at stake -- RT
No one else will buy Mistral that France built for Russia -- RT

France Delays Sea Trials Of Russian Warship

French Sea Trials Of Russian Warship Suspended: Source -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A forthcoming sea trial of a French-built Mistral helicopter carrier due to be delivered to Russia has been suspended for technical reasons, a source close to the matter said on Tuesday.

Under pressure from allies, France said last week that it wanted to see whether a ceasefire between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces held before deciding whether it could deliver the ship as planned on Nov. 1.

A nine-day sea trial with Russian sailors on board was due to start on Wednesday.

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More News On The Russian - French Mistral Deal

France to decide on Mistral deliveries to Russia in late October — minister -- ITAR-TASS
Russia Says it Could Build its Own Mistral Warships -- Moscow Times
Industry and Trade Minister: Russia Sees No Problem in Producing Own Mistral-Type Ships -- RIA Novosti
Mistral ship deal suspension won’t affect Russian military doctrine — minister -- ITAR-TASS
French Warship Delay Helps Russian Hawks -- Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg

My Comment: I expect Russia will (in the end) receive the Mistral helicopter carrier that it ordered. But after the completion of this contract .... I doubt that Russia will make any future purchases from France on any major military procurement.

A Look At The Launching Of The Mistral Class LHD Vladivostok (Video)

My Comment: An impressive naval vessel.

France - Russia Reach Agreement On The Sale Of The Mistral-Class Warship

Mistral. © RIA Novosti

Presidents Say Russia, France Finalize Sale Of French Warships To Russia -- Washington Post

DEAUVILLE, France — The presidents of France and Russia say their countries have reached a definitive agreement on the sale of four French warships to Russia.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters at the Group of Eight summit in Deauville on Thursday that the deal on the sale of Mistral-class assault warships will be signed in the next two weeks.

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More News On France - Russia Reaching Agreement On the Sale of the Mistral-Class Warship

Russia, France agree to sign Mistral contract in 15 days -- RIA Novosti
France, Russia finalize warship sale at G8 summit -- Forbes/AP
France and Russia finalise warship deal -- Expatica

France And Russia Agree To Terms On Mistral Ships

Mistral-class helicopter carrier. © RIA Novosti. Aleksei Danichev

France Agrees To Supply Full-Spec Mistral Ships - Defense Ministry -- RIA Novosti

France and Russia have agreed that the Mistral-class helicopter carriers France will build for Russia will be fully equipped with the communication and control systems, a senior official in Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Russia has reached an agreement with France that meets the Defense Ministry's demand to provide Mistral with the communications and other systems that would satisfy the requirements of the Navy," the source said.

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My Comment: I am sure that Russia's neighbors are going to notice (and not be pleased) by this development.

Russia Denies Problems With France On Mistral Purchase

Moscow dismisses report of deadlock in talks on Mistral purchase. © RIA Novosti

Moscow Dismisses Report Of Deadlock In Talks On Mistral Purchase -- RIA Novosti

Reports of an impasse in contractual talks between Russia and France on the purchase of Mistral class helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy are false, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's spokesman said on Thursday.

Russia's Kommersant business daily reported on Thursday that last week's contractual talks between Russian state-arms exporter Rosoboronexport and French DCSN company, which were attended by government officials from both countries, resulted in deadlock.

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More News On The Russian Mistral Purchase

Russian Mistral Procurement Stalled -- Defpro
Russia denies snub in Mistral deal -- UPI
Russia and France in deadlock over Mistral cost: report -- New Age
Russia ready to pay 1.5 bln euros for Mistral contract - Defense Ministry -- RIA Novosti
Russia could pay 1.5 billion euros to France for Mistral class helicopter carriers -- Avionews

Russia Agrees To Buy Two Mistral Helicopter Carriers From France

The Mistral class landing platform docks can carry a full tank battalion. Military-Today.com

Russia Agrees To Landmark Purchase Of Two Warships From France -- Deutsche Welle

France and Russia have reached a landmark agreement to jointly build two Mistral-class warships for the Russian military, despite warnings from some NATO countries that the sale could undermine the alliance's allies.

Russia has agreed to contract a French-led consortium for the construction of two warships, the Russian and French governments announced on Friday.

French shipyard companies DCNS and STX would build the two Mistral-class warships along with Russia's state-run United Shipbuilding Corporation, known as OSK.

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More News On The French - Russian Agreement To Build Two Mistral Helicopter Carriers Together

Russia to buy two warships from France in major military deal -- Washington Post
Russia to buy two French Mistral-class warships -- BBC
French to help build 2 Russian navy ships -- CNN
The Mistral: France's amphibious assault ship -- Expatica.com
France to help Russia build copter carriers -- Voice of Russia
Russia, France to build two Mistral helicopters together -- ITAR-TASS
Factbox: Russia agrees to buy French helicopter carriers -- Reuters
Mistral class Amphibious assault ship (Specs) -- Military-Today.com

Russia And France Agree To Mistral Helicopter Carrier Sale

Warships and submarines line up during a rehearsal for a naval parade along the harbour of Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok, July 23, 2010. Russia will mark its Navy Day on Sunday. Credit: Reuters/Yuri Maltsev

Russia Agrees To Buy France's Mistral Ship: Report -- Defense News

MOSCOW - Russia has in principal agreed to a deal to buy a Mistral helicopter carrier from France and the forthcoming tender will be a formality, a senior Navy official was quoted as saying on Sept. 21.

Russia has been negotiating with France for months to buy the Mistral-class ships, in its first ever purchase of military hardware from a member of NATO.

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Update #1: Russia to purchase four French warships -- M&C
Update #2: Russia agrees to buy France's Mistral ship: report -- Expatica

My Comment: Not everyone is happy with this deal.