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?
Russia and France have clinched the details of a deal on the purchase of Mistral helicopter carriers. A high-ranking official in the Russian Navy’s general staff has indicated the two sides have finalized the terms of the future contract.
Moscow is buying four helicopter carriers from France.Two of the ships will be purchased directly from the manufacturer and two will be built in Russia.
France Says It Would Transfer Technology to Russia
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE - Published: 9 Dec 2010 14:31
MOSCOW - French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Dec. 9 on a visit to Moscow that France was ready to transfer military technology if it won a tender to supply Russia with Mistral warships.
"There is no question about the technology transfer, no problem regarding technology transfers," Fillon said at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. [...]
Putin stressed that the price, and the possibility of technology transfer to allow Russia to subsequently learn to build its own warships of the same class, would be key criteria in Russia's choice.
"The price is important. Russia is also interested in technology transfers. This is important for our ship building," Putin said. ...
France to Build 2 Naval Command Ships With Russia
Agence France-Presse - Published: 24 Dec 2010 12:58
PARIS - France and Russia have agreed to build jointly two French Mistral-class command and amphibious assault warships, with the possibility of two more, President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said Friday.
"Following the Oct. 5 tender to supply the Russian navy with two projection and command ships, the Russian authorities have chosen the consortium of France's DCNS and STX and Russian naval yard OSK," it said.
"Their offer initially covers the joint construction of two of this kind of vessel, which should be extended by the construction of two more," Sarkozy's Elysee Palace said in a statement. ...
My guess is that the deal will never close. The diplomacy has not run it's course yet, and France depends on the USN for some critical aircraft carrier technologies.
PARIS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- France signed an agreement Tuesday to sell four Mistral-class amphibious assault warships to Russia, including two to be built in Russia.
The deal was signed by Russian Vice President Igor I. Sechin and French Defense Minister and Minister of State Alain Juppe, in the presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
On Dec. 24, 2010, the Russian authorities have approved the sales offer presented by the consortium formed by French companies DCNS and STX and the OSK Russian shipyard. The Tuesday agreement was a follow-up formalization of that endorsement, according to French authorities.
The governments of the two countries pledged to give their full support to the construction of two warships in France and the other two in Russia, the statement added, describing the project as "the most important issue ever made by Russia and a Western country in this field."
Job opportunities are one of the focuses of the project as both countries are eager to boost depressed employment against fragile economic recovery.
The two states said the completion of the project, which will guarantee jobs to many Russian and French companies, can open new prospects for cooperation between the two sides.
The statement did not reveal the value of the contract, but previous report estimated that one Mistral-class amphibious assault ship can be worth 400-500 million euros (545-681 million U.S. dollars).
The 21,300-ton highly automated Mistral-class warship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks and around 450 troops.
This landmark purchase has triggered concerns in the United States and former Soviet satellite states, which are still wary about Russia's rising military power, following the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia.
Exactly...like catapults maintenance. This Mistral deal is not yet a "done deal"
French Navy servicemembers are said to believe the "Mistral" design is too complicated, overloaded with electrical and electronic equipment, and problematic in service, which leads to constant repairs. There are also complaints about its sea-going capabilities. These shortcomings led to its failure in the Australian tender for a new Landing Ship, which was won by Spanish Navantia with a similar design.