The transaction took place
France to build two helicopter carriers for Russia
Two Mistral helicopter carriers for Russia will be built at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, said French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
“We are continuing negotiations on the contract, but the fact that construction will be carried out is beyond doubt,” Interfax quotes the text of Sarkozy’s speech to STX shipyard employees.
It should be noted that Russia has not yet confirmed the final conclusion of the deal on helicopter carriers.
“The transaction has already been“ made ”in a public field, but no specific decisions were made on the purchase of Mistral, no funds were allocated for the purchase, there was no decision by Rosoboronzakaz,” said the representative of United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
“In addition, the creation of a joint venture between Almaz Design Bureau and the French industrial corporation Thales Group for the production of radio electronics for Mistral was originally supposed. That is, the main task was and, we hope, the transfer of Western advanced technologies to Russian shipyards, expansion of experience, ”he said.
# {weapon} Earlier, USC representative Igor Ryabov stated that the company was ready to build a Korean equivalent of the French Mistral helicopter carrier at its shipyards in three years. The Corporation appealed to the FAS and the Ministry of Defense with a request to consider the expediency of purchasing such ships, noting that there are more competitive vessels.
"We are interested in the construction of warships, and not in their purchase," - added the agency interlocutor in the USC.
As the newspaper VIEW reported, Moscow and Paris are discussing a deal on French helicopter carriers of the Mistral type. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that the purchase of "Mistral" is interesting for Russia only with parallel transfer of technology. In turn, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reported that Russia wants to receive four such ships: one ready-made, and three more to build under a French license at Russian shipyards. In the spring, the French Ministry of Defense reported that helicopter carriers of the Mistral type, by decision of the country's president, in the event of sale to Russia, will be supplied unarmed.
The Mistral helicopter carrier has a total displacement of 21 thousand tons, 200 meters length, 32 meter width, 19 nodes course speed, 20 cruising range thousands of miles. Able to carry six helicopters on deck, inside the hull - four landing craft or two hovercraft, as well as landing troops before 450. According to preliminary data of Russian and French experts, the cost of one helicopter carrier for the Russian Navy will be from 400 to 500 million euros.
"We buy an idea"
“French industry can build the Mistral in two to three years, and if we order ours, it will be seven to eight years. If these two ships will be built for the Russian fleet, they can be redesigned for our weapon systems, ”Andrei Frolov, researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told the newspaper VZGLYAD.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that two Mistral helicopter carriers for Russia will be built at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. According to him, the parties continue to negotiate a contract, but "the mere fact that construction will be carried out is beyond doubt."
The position of the Russian side was to build only one ship at a French shipyard, and three more - in Russia under license. Newspaper VIEW has asked Andrei Frolov, a researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, to explain the reasons for the changes.
Andrei Lvovich, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the construction of two Mistral-type helicopter carriers at French shipyards for the Russian fleet. Earlier, the Russian leadership insisted that the French side hand over one built ship, and three were made in Russia. How can you explain such concessions?
Andrei Frolov: Earlier it was stated that the whole set of drawings would be received and, as far as I understand, a combat information control system. I think this is the whole point.
In addition, the ship will be adapted to our helicopters, because tests have shown that its hangars are too low for our cars.
Will this adaptation affect weapons systems?
A.F .: We don’t know, maybe this is the end of it and they’ll no longer be built in Russia, but if these two ships are built for the Russian fleet, they can be redesigned for our weapons systems.
Besides the issue of technology transfer, is there a fundamental difference between building ships in France or in Russia?
A.F .: The main thing is that the French industry can build them in two or three years, and if you order ours, it will be seven or eight years.
How important, in your opinion, is this ship for the Russian fleet?
A.F .: Honestly, their purpose is still not clear. A version is voiced that these will be floating command posts to improve the quality of command and control of troops in the Far East. From there they will manage the formations of the ships, the Ground Forces, that is, the united groups.
Will the technologies received by the Russian side be applied in the construction of other types of ships?
A.F .: It's hard to say. It all depends on how the Mistral will be operated by our fleet, as it will show itself.
How long does it take to draw conclusions regarding its functions?
A.F .: At least a year of operation, perhaps several years. We buy some idea. How it will be implemented, while no one knows.
“We are continuing negotiations on the contract, but the fact that construction will be carried out is beyond doubt,” Interfax quotes the text of Sarkozy’s speech to STX shipyard employees.
It should be noted that Russia has not yet confirmed the final conclusion of the deal on helicopter carriers.
“The transaction has already been“ made ”in a public field, but no specific decisions were made on the purchase of Mistral, no funds were allocated for the purchase, there was no decision by Rosoboronzakaz,” said the representative of United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
“In addition, the creation of a joint venture between Almaz Design Bureau and the French industrial corporation Thales Group for the production of radio electronics for Mistral was originally supposed. That is, the main task was and, we hope, the transfer of Western advanced technologies to Russian shipyards, expansion of experience, ”he said.
# {weapon} Earlier, USC representative Igor Ryabov stated that the company was ready to build a Korean equivalent of the French Mistral helicopter carrier at its shipyards in three years. The Corporation appealed to the FAS and the Ministry of Defense with a request to consider the expediency of purchasing such ships, noting that there are more competitive vessels.
"We are interested in the construction of warships, and not in their purchase," - added the agency interlocutor in the USC.
As the newspaper VIEW reported, Moscow and Paris are discussing a deal on French helicopter carriers of the Mistral type. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said that the purchase of "Mistral" is interesting for Russia only with parallel transfer of technology. In turn, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reported that Russia wants to receive four such ships: one ready-made, and three more to build under a French license at Russian shipyards. In the spring, the French Ministry of Defense reported that helicopter carriers of the Mistral type, by decision of the country's president, in the event of sale to Russia, will be supplied unarmed.
The Mistral helicopter carrier has a total displacement of 21 thousand tons, 200 meters length, 32 meter width, 19 nodes course speed, 20 cruising range thousands of miles. Able to carry six helicopters on deck, inside the hull - four landing craft or two hovercraft, as well as landing troops before 450. According to preliminary data of Russian and French experts, the cost of one helicopter carrier for the Russian Navy will be from 400 to 500 million euros.
"We buy an idea"
“French industry can build the Mistral in two to three years, and if we order ours, it will be seven to eight years. If these two ships will be built for the Russian fleet, they can be redesigned for our weapon systems, ”Andrei Frolov, researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told the newspaper VZGLYAD.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday that two Mistral helicopter carriers for Russia will be built at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. According to him, the parties continue to negotiate a contract, but "the mere fact that construction will be carried out is beyond doubt."
The position of the Russian side was to build only one ship at a French shipyard, and three more - in Russia under license. Newspaper VIEW has asked Andrei Frolov, a researcher at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, to explain the reasons for the changes.
Andrei Lvovich, French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced the construction of two Mistral-type helicopter carriers at French shipyards for the Russian fleet. Earlier, the Russian leadership insisted that the French side hand over one built ship, and three were made in Russia. How can you explain such concessions?
Andrei Frolov: Earlier it was stated that the whole set of drawings would be received and, as far as I understand, a combat information control system. I think this is the whole point.
In addition, the ship will be adapted to our helicopters, because tests have shown that its hangars are too low for our cars.
Will this adaptation affect weapons systems?
A.F .: We don’t know, maybe this is the end of it and they’ll no longer be built in Russia, but if these two ships are built for the Russian fleet, they can be redesigned for our weapons systems.
Besides the issue of technology transfer, is there a fundamental difference between building ships in France or in Russia?
A.F .: The main thing is that the French industry can build them in two or three years, and if you order ours, it will be seven or eight years.
How important, in your opinion, is this ship for the Russian fleet?
A.F .: Honestly, their purpose is still not clear. A version is voiced that these will be floating command posts to improve the quality of command and control of troops in the Far East. From there they will manage the formations of the ships, the Ground Forces, that is, the united groups.
Will the technologies received by the Russian side be applied in the construction of other types of ships?
A.F .: It's hard to say. It all depends on how the Mistral will be operated by our fleet, as it will show itself.
How long does it take to draw conclusions regarding its functions?
A.F .: At least a year of operation, perhaps several years. We buy some idea. How it will be implemented, while no one knows.
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