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Moscow will demand Mistral ships or money from Paris

Major Shaitan Singh

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The head of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Vladimir Komoyedov, said today that if France does not deliver Mistral helicopter carriers soon, Russia is no longer required to wait for execution of the contract.

"We must demand the immediate return of the funds spent on the execution of this contract, together with penalties," Komoyedov said, stressing that Russia does not need "these clumsy ship docks" and the contract with France had more political than military significance,

"For the Navy, they are not essential. A kind of political curtsey was shown at the conclusion of the contract with France," the head of the State Duma Committee said. In mid-January, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow plans to file a lawsuit against Paris because of non-delivery of the helicopter carriers within six months. In addition, Russia demanded an official explanation for the non-delivery of the ships.

As First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Jabarov told Vestnik Kavkaza, this theme was not mentioned at the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Francois Hollande, but the Russian President said explicitly: "Why would I touch it - the contract must be carried out."

"The conditions for breach of contract are known to all. I think that it was a strategic error by the former leadership of the Defense Ministry, which entered into this contract. Why? Because you cannot order such weapons from a country that is part of an opposing military unit. NATO is a powerful unit and there is always the danger of what happened. On the other hand, the French had proven themself to be good partners, who fulfil their words and obligations," the senator stresed.

"A year ago I had a meeting at the 'Parlamentskaya' newspaper. There was a round-table discussion about the Maidan, which was only just beginning, and a Ukrainian journalist arises and saith: "So you call us brothers, but we have the Nikolaev shipyard doing nothing and you have ordered a 'Mistral' from France. I told him: "We booked the 'Mistral' in France because this country is a reliable partner, and with you we can't be sure if our money will be stolen or if our contracts will be fulfilled." These exact words I repeated to the French senator: Jean-Yves Leconte of the national Assembly of France was in Russia this summer. I told him: "You are undermining the credibility of your country." And Mr. Leconte said: "Don't you worry, the Mistrals will be delivered," the first deputy chairman of the federation council committee on foreign affairs said, expressing his confidence that, sooner or later, the 'Mistrals' will raise Russian flags and get their rightful owner, which is Russia. "In case we don't get them, we'll get the money, and we'll find somewhere to use them more profitably. By the way, do you know that a new program for the construction of warships has already been developed, and it has several ships just the type of 'Mistral', but they are of a higher class - they are bigger and have helicopters on board. So I think we will close this topic. But France, it seems to me, has suffered damage because of it's unreliability as a partner. Paris depends on the political situation, and I think that the French people will have some big problems with customers of many countries around the world - they sell a lot of weapons, being in the top five along with the US and Russia. Thus it will be a big blow for them," Vladimir Jabbarov said.

The deputy chairman of the Federation Council also drew attention to another point: "The government of France would have to somehow explain to their constituents why they have to pay $3 billion to America. The Americans, incidentally, placed an order for the delivery of two cruise ships from the shipyards where the 'Mistrals' were built as compensation. But this is not compensation, because if the French do not fulfil their supply conditions there will be damage anyway. The tranquility of our country captivates and says that we will not lose in either variant. If we get our ship, that would be excellent, if not, we'll get our money back," the senator concluded.

"The conditions for breach of contract are known to all. I think that it was a strategic error by the former leadership of the Defense Ministry, which entered into this contract. Why? Because you cannot order such weapons from a country that is part of an opposing military unit. NATO is a powerful unit and there is always the danger of what happened. On the other hand, the French had proven themself to be good partners, who fulfil their words and obligations," the senator stresed.

As an example, Vladimir Jabbarov narrated an interesting episode: "A year ago I had a meeting at the 'Parlamentskaya' newspaper. There was a round-table discussion about the Maidan, which was only just beginning, and a Ukrainian journalist arises and saith: "So you call us brothers, but we have the Nikolaev shipyard doing nothing and you have ordered a 'Mistral' from France. I told him: "We booked the 'Mistral' in France because this country is a reliable partner, and with you we can't be sure if our money will be stolen or if our contracts will be fulfilled." These exact words I repeated to the French senator: Jean-Yves Leconte of the national Assembly of France was in Russia this summer. I told him: "You are undermining the credibility of your country." And Mr. Leconte said: "Don't you worry, the Mistrals will be delivered," the first deputy chairman of the federation council committee on foreign affairs said, expressing his confidence that, sooner or later, the 'Mistrals' will raise Russian flags and get their rightful owner, which is Russia.

"In case we don't get them, we'll get the money, and we'll find somewhere to use them more profitably. By the way, do you know that a new program for the construction of warships has already been developed, and it has several ships just the type of 'Mistral', but they are of a higher class - they are bigger and have helicopters on board. So I think we will close this topic. But France, it seems to me, has suffered damage because of it's unreliability as a partner. Paris depends on the political situation, and I think that the French people will have some big problems with customers of many countries around the world - they sell a lot of weapons, being in the top five along with the US and Russia. Thus it will be a big blow for them," Vladimir Jabbarov said.

The deputy chairman of the Federation Council also drew attention to another point: "The government of France would have to somehow explain to their constituents why they have to pay $3 billion to America. The Americans, incidentally, placed an order for the delivery of two cruise ships from the shipyards where the 'Mistrals' were built as compensation. But this is not compensation, because if the French do not fulfil their supply conditions there will be damage anyway. The tranquility of our country captivates and says that we will not lose in either variant. If we get our ship, that would be excellent, if not, we'll get our money back," the senator concluded.

Moscow will demand Mistral ships or money from Paris | Vestnik Kavkaza
 
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France proposed wheat instead of ship and Putin said , we will invade france that should send a message
 
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If Russia does not need "these clumsy ship docks", I'm pretty sure other takers are easiy available.
 
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With specs tailor made for Russian environment i hardly think so
"russian environment" > explain (what do you mean, actual environment or russian navy context)
What specs would be problematic? Modified from the original French design to carry heavier Russian helicopters and optimization for Arctic operations? Golly, how prblematic? Might actually be interesting for navies near South Pole.... Remember, there are other navies that operate Russian equipment already. Good price and availability of 2 units (Vladivostok, Sebastopol) go a long way.

url

mistral.jpg
 
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With specs tailor made for Russian environment i hardly think so
Well India would be the perfect customer for this, but considering this might put off Russia we might not go with this, who knows.
 
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"russian environment" > explain (what do you mean, actual environment or russian navy context)
What specs would be problematic? Modified from the original French design to carry heavier Russian helicopters and optimization for Arctic operations? Golly, how prblematic? Might actually be interesting for navies near South Pole.... Remember, there are other navies that operate Russian equipment already. Good price and availability of 2 units (Vladivostok, Sebastopol) go a long way.

url

mistral.jpg

Exactly those ships are tailor made for Artic & Indian Ocean does not have that kind of environment so where will we use them besides we already have a tender to build Such ships tailor made for our needs to be made in India

Well India would be the perfect customer for this, but considering this might put off Russia we might not go with this, who knows.

That too
 
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If Russia does not need "these clumsy ship docks", I'm pretty sure other takers are easiy available.

Then whats the delay in returning Russian money?

The French are just not reliable or value for money. Just look at the Scorpene mess. We are going to end up with six outdated tubes firing obsolete Exocet missiles that are 5 decades behind the latest anti ship missiles.

And now we are on the verge of signing those midget planes that cost more than an FGFA.
 
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Exactly those ships are tailor made for Artic & Indian Ocean does not have that kind of environment so where will we use them besides we already have a tender to build Such ships tailor made for our needs to be made in India
"tailor made for the Arctic" ... like how, exactly?

Meanwhile, pardon me, but who said I meant India.... India isn't exactly close to the South Pole is it [i.e. a somewhat arrogant assumption on your part]?

DEFENSE STUDIES: Singapore Offers LPD for Chilean Navy
Landing Ships and Helicopter Docks: New Designs for Multiple Duties - Armada

Algeria, Brazil, Chile, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa, all candidates for reasonably priced LPD/LHD options.
 
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Then whats the delay in returning Russian money?

The French are just not reliable or value for money. Just look at the Scorpene mess. We are going to end up with six outdated tubes firing obsolete Exocet missiles that are 5 decades behind the latest anti ship missiles.

And now we are on the verge of signing those midget planes that cost more than an FGFA.

Don't blame India's defence mess on France, I would say in the case of Scorpene. There is nothing that prevents the adoption of other sublaunched antiship missiles so long as they fit the tubes.

Why return money unless you really really really have to and have no alternative? Come on.
 
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Don't blame India's defence mess on France, I would say in the case of Scorpene. There is nothing that prevents the adoption of other sublaunched antiship missiles so long as they fit the tubes.

Why return money unless you really really really have to and have no alternative? Come on.
You cant ignore Indian experiences of past.

There is a threat, that is case of sanctions on India, France pull out under western pressure. But France is always remain alright, even they didnt condemned India during Pokharan-2.

And tell you what Mistral and Scorpene( For P-75I) are most loved one in MoD.
 
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"tailor made for the Arctic" ... like how, exactly?
QUOTE]

Alternatively, explain how the items indicated below disqualify these ships for the Indian Ocean.
Russia's requirements include modifying the BPC design to accommodate Kamov helicopters and other Russian equipment (excluding weapon systems). The vessels also need to be modified to operate under extreme cold, with higher electrical power availability to de-ice part of the flight deck. All the user interfaces and onboard signage also need to be localised into Russian
DCNS continues BPC (Mistral LHD) design modifications for Russian Navy
 
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Mistral boats could be sold to either Indonesia or Malaysia both have hundreds of islands. Russia is offering Antey 2500 missiles instead of S-300 to Iran for which contract was signed years ago. France could also refund money or sold outdated ships.
 
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You cant ignore Indian experiences of past.

There is a threat, that is case of sanctions on India, France pull out under western pressure. But France is always remain alright, even they didnt condemned India during Pokharan-2.

And tell you what Mistral and Scorpene( For P-75I) are most loved one in MoD.

If Mistrals are not delivered to Russia, that is not solely a French reliability issue (obviously)
India has no prior experience obtaining Mistrals from France.
India's history with submarines and Russia isn't exacty beautifull either (Kilo upgrades anyone?).

Mistral boats could be sold to either Indonesia or Malaysia both have hundreds of islands. Russia is offering Antey 2500 missiles instead of S-300 to Iran for which contract was signed years ago. France could also refund money or sold outdated ships.
Frrance might even keep them ;-) Some German politicians have now suggested that instead the EU should step into the contract and buy the ships.
No Money Back? History Lessons on the Russia MISTRAL Sale
http://www.malaysiandefence.com/?p=4217
 
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