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France Could offer to Sell Mistrals Built for Russia to China or India

France Could offer to Sell Mistrals Built for Russia to China or India
Published May 11, 2015 | By admin
SOURCE: SPUTNIK

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France is rumored to be trying to sell a Mistral-class amphibious assault ship to China, while two French warships are on a seven-day visit to Shanghai, Watch China Times reported, adding that the French Navy is likely to offer the Mistrals built for Russia for sale instead of constructing new ones.

In an unlikely coincidence, the task force visiting China consists of two warships, one of which is a Mistral-class protection and command (BPC) ship, the Dixmude. This is the first time a Mistral entered a Chinese port.
Under a $1.3-billion deal Russia and France signed in 2011, Paris was supposed to deliver the Vladivostok in November 2014 and the Sevastopol in early 2015.

None of the ships arrived to Russia, since the deliveries were put on hold over Moscow’s alleged involvement in the Ukrainian civil war. Kremlin has repeatedly denied these groundless claims and pushed for peace in the war-torn nation.

Meanwhile, the fate of the two Mistrals built and adapted to meet the specifications provided by the Russian Navy remains in limbo. Last month, French President Francois Hollande said Paris would return the payment for the warships if the contract is terminated.

Several other options are reportedly under consideration – to sink the two Mistrals, to hand them over to the French Navy or to sell them to a third party. The Watch China Times named Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt and India as potential buyers.

China is developing its own as of yet unnamed amphibious assault ship but could buy a Mistral to use as a model, the media outlet noted.Selling Mistrals commissioned by Russia may prove harder than it seems. Last week, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin warned that France could not sell the helicopter carriers without Russia’s permission. He added that Paris was fully aware of that.

The other French ship, accompanying the Dixmude on the visit to China, is the Aconit, a La Fayette-class frigate. The French task force arrived at the Wusong naval port on May 9 and will leave on May 15.

India has a lot of money. Also, Egypt or Canada can pay them as well.
 
Hope it comes with a significant discount. Modi should use his baniya gifts to good use and try and get this cheap. After all it is second hand :D
 
Custom built for Russians?

No thanks France. We would like something custom made for us.

However there is a way. France could sell those ships to India with Russian consent and then India can lease them to Russia for as long as Russians want. This way French would not be selling those ships to Russia directly but eventually Russia will get it.
Every body goes home happy.


India is not that stupid.

While tender for 6 LHDs cary a clause of Make in India, it would be too stupid to reject a 7th LHD if we are getting it on a discount.
 
We will take it at half the price. Akhir ye hai to 2nd hand naa:D
 

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