SinoDefence Forum

Jeff Head · 12-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twix101

They are actually building a third vessel, it could be that one that will be handed over to Russian Navy, on the other hand, the white paper on defense states that Navy should procure 3 to 4 vessels to gain a better power projection capability, making the 25,000 men abroad objective more realizable.

The introduction of this kind of vessel in the Russian Navy could change the balance in Caucasus as a Russian General stated that a ship like that could have done an amphibious operation in 40 minutes when it took actually 26 hours with the current means during the Georgian War.

If the French are already building a third vessel, then it is only to be decided if the Russians get the existing one...or the new one. Depending on how far along the new one is, the Russians my want to buy that one so they can implement their onw needs into it. Thereafter, they would license build them.

Twix101 · 12-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Head

If the French are already building a third vessel, then it is only to be decided if the Russians get the existing one...or the new one. Depending on how far along the new one is, the Russians my want to buy that one so they can implement their onw needs into it. Thereafter, they would license build them.

According to some news, they will only build the vessel and let Russians fit her with their proper equipments, I think that removing actual systems (SIMBAD, 30mm guns, Radars, comms), that are NATO standard, from existing ship wouldn't be cost effective.

Scratch · 12-21-2009

The story gets bigger. The Russians really seem to want that ship and the related know-how for their industry.
Now there's a competition between NATO countries to supply that capability to the Russian Navy.
A decission appears to be made shortly. I wonder were it goes and if those countries could have any say in this, wich I doubt.
After the Georgia conflict I'm a little surprised something like this big happens so quickly. But with tight funds, everybody is looking for money for their industry I suppose.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php...62&c=EUR&s=AIR

Russia Discussing Amphib Deal With 3 Nations

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE - Published: 21 Dec 2009 09:13

MOSCOW - Russia is in talks with Western countries other than France as it seeks to purchase an advanced helicopter-carrier assault ship, the head of the Russian Navy was quoted as saying Dec. 21.

"Yes, we are holding talks, and not just with the French, but with the Netherlands and Spain, about the acquisition of a ship of this class," said Russian Navy chief Vladimir Vysotsky, quoted by Russian news agencies.

Russia has been in talks with France about the purchase of a Mistral-class warship aimed at helping modernize the ageing Russian navy, despite criticism of the deal from Russia's East European neighbors and Georgia.

A Mistral-class ship, which can carry about a dozen heavy helicopters along with various types of beach-landing craft, can be used to land special forces onshore and other operations in local conflicts.

Last month, a Mistral docked in St. Petersburg for inspection by Russian officials. Under the terms of the deal being discussed, Russia would buy one ship along with a license to produce at least four itself.

A source close to the negotiations said earlier that Moscow was also in talks with the Damen Schelde shipyard in the Netherlands and with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia about buying amphibious assault ships.

For Russia, which has insisted for decades on producing all of its military hardware itself, any such deal with a NATO member country would be unprecedented.

Moscow would make a decision on the purchase by the end of the year, Nikolai Makarov, the top commander of the Russian armed forces, said in early December.

Ambivalent · 12-27-2009

I think if the Russians could afford it they would buy the Navantia design. My honest opinion is that Russia cannot afford to buy more than one such ship, having a GDP almost exactly that of Spain. My gut is telling me the Russians are just kicking tires and trying to learn as much as they can in the process to further their own technology. If they decide they can do it themselves I think they will prefer a domestic design. I wonder how far this will go before the US complains to the European governments involved?

bd popeye · 4 Weeks Ago

It's official Russia will purchase a Mistral LPH class ship.

Quote:

France agrees warship sale to Russia
Mon Feb 8, 2010 7:14am EST
France agrees warship sale to Russia | Reuters

PARIS, Feb 8 (Reuters) - France has agreed to sell a Mistral class warship to Russia, a French official said on Monday, despite concerns expressed by Georgia and other countries.
Russia wanted to buy the 21,300-tonne helicopter carrier from France to modernise hardware that was exposed as outdated in its five-day war against Georgia in 2008.
"France has agreed to sell one Mistral warship to Russia," a Defence Ministry official told reporters.

France belongs to NATO and its willingness to sell Russia advanced technology that could be used in a confrontation with its forces or against its allies has caused concern among other NATO members.
Several of Russia's neighbours have also expressed worries. Lithuania wrote to France in November asking for clarification of the situation and details of the ship's ammunition.
The Mistral, marketed by French naval concern DCNS and estimated by analysts to cost 300 million to 500 million euros, is an amphibious assault ship able to carry helicopters, troops, armoured vehicles and tanks thousands of miles.

During the war with Georgia, launched to repel Tbilisi's attempt to retake the rebel province of South Ossetia, Russia tried to control the Black Sea coast where NATO warships appeared.
Russia has said it could have moved more swiftly in the Black Sea if a Mistral-type ship had been in its fleet.
Despite a peace deal mediated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, tensions remain high in Georgia. The region is viewed by the West as a vital energy transit route from the Caspian to Europe.

Aero_Wing_32 · 4 Weeks Ago

France approves sale of Mistral warship to Russia | Top Russian news and analysis online | 'RIA Novosti' newswire

It's no longer for one warship, but four!
That's a pretty big deal for France. Seems like Russia needs them urgently...

ccL1 · 4 Weeks Ago

Considering these types of amphibious landing ships, which is "better": the French Mistral-class or the South Korean Dokdo-class?

I guess you can interpret "better" on your own terms, but I am wondering about total value, versatility, and innovation.

Also, for amphibious landing ships, American-made ones are the best in the world, right? (e.g. Wasp or America class)

Thank you.

bd popeye · 4 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Also, for amphibious landing ships, American-made ones are the best in the world, right? (e.g. Wasp or America class)

Simply because they are built to warship standards. I may be mistaken but I think the Mistral class is built along civilian standards.

Scratch · 1 Week Ago

Latest news on the issue:

France in Talks With Russia on Four Warships

Agence France-Presse - Published: 1 Mar 2010 16:26

PARIS - France and Russia have launched "exclusive negotiations" on the sale of four French warships to Moscow, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Monday after talks with his Russian counterpart.

"We are in exclusive negotiations for four BPC Mistral," Sarkozy said, standing beside President Dmitry Medvedev, referring to a class of high-tech amphibious assault ship built by France and sought by Moscow.

"This is a symbol of trust between our countries," Medvedev said. "I hope that these negotiations will be crowned by success."

Sarkozy said the first of the four ships would be built at a French naval shipyard in St Nazaire on the mouth of Loire, and that talks were continuing over where to produce the remaining three.

The prospect of French arms sales to Russia has raised concern among some of Russia's neighbors and the United States.

bd popeye · 1 Week Ago

Four? I can picture two. But four? That's quite an expense. Plus the crew and the aircraft etc to man them and all the other associated equipment. No doubt all four won't be operational at once...But let's wait for 25 years or so and see what shakes out.

Scratch · 1 Week Ago

Well, the article quotes Sarkozy as saying the first will be built in France.
That lets me think the remaining three will be constructed in Russia. So it probably might be foremost a program to help the russian shipbuilding industry with know how and assistance.

rhino123 · 1 Week Ago

This actually led me to think. If there is no arms embargoment, or if the arm embargoment was lifted, will China also be interested in the mistral? Or will China even be interested to consider buying other LHD from other European nations?

SinoDefence Forum

Russia may purchase Mistral class LHD from France

Russia may purchase Mistral class LHD from France

DefenceTalk Military Pictures

Similar Threads

vBulletin Tweet Poster