Russia Signs Contract For 2 French Amphibs

[SpArK]

Russia Signs Contract For 2 French Amphibs​

SAINT PETERSBURG - Russia signed a long-awaited contract with France to buy two French Mistral-class warships that has alarmed ex-Soviet neighbors and the United States, an AFP correspondent said June 17.

Russia's Rosoboronexport military corporation and DCNS, the warships' French maker, signed the contract on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum, the biggest annual economic gathering in Russia.

Financial details were not disclosed but news reports said earlier that the contract is worth 1.1 billion euros ($1.6 billion).

There was no mention of two other warships that were part of the initial framework agreement and which were supposed to have been built in Russia at a later date.

According to the Vedomosti business daily, France has agreed to a transfer of technology under the contract and will transfer to Russia an advance naval operating system called SENIT-9.

The purchase, the first by Russia of major military hardware from a NATO member, has sparked concern in some of France's Atlantic Alliance partners as well as former Soviet states.

A Mistral-class ship can carry up to 16 helicopters, four landing craft, 13 battle tanks, around 100 other vehicles and a 450-strong force. It has facilities for a full command staff and is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.

Russia Signs Contract For 2 French Amphibs - Defense News

 

[silko]

A Mistral-class ship can carry up to 16 helicopters, four landing craft, 13 battle tanks, around 100 other vehicles and a 450-strong force. It has facilities for a full command staff and is equipped with a 69-bed hospital.

sounds more like a yacht!

 

[gOtHmOG]

A blow to the reputation of the Russian arms industry

 

[HROBOS]

A blow to the reputation of the Russian arms industry

Your arguments?

 

[gOtHmOG]

You're telling me the the Russian arms industry is not capable of manufacturing their own warships? Or is it that they lag too far behind in the technology to make their own? Russia has had experience building aircraft carriers . Doesn't that tech transfer to building amphibious assault ships?

 

[madooxno9]

For Russia, the Mistral class ships would make an excellent addition to the aging Black Sea Fleet (BSF)

Such a ship would provide a dramatic increase in key operational capabilities, and would also be able to pass unimpeded through the Turkish Straits. It is doubtful however that Russia will purchase more than one or two of the vessels. Despite the Russian government’s high-flying rhetoric, Mistral’s mission, at least in the near future, will be limited to strengthening Russia’s hold over the Caucasus.

Russian admiral recently claimed that if [Mistral class ships] had been a part of the fleet in 2008, Russian forces would have overrun Georgia “within 40 minutes,” rather than 26 hours.

 

[HROBOS]

You're telling me the the Russian arms industry is not capable of manufacturing their own warships? Or is it that they lag too far behind in the technology to make their own? Russia has had experience building aircraft carriers . Doesn't that tech transfer to building amphibious assault ships?

1. It is basically a political deal + a variety of technologies.
2. Most of the amphibious assault ships, the ships provide the Navy and patrol vessels in foreign shipyards produced (for political reasons or because of their load capacity).
Shipyards in the Soviet Union in the first place was loaded with orders for the production of the main classes of warships.
3. There is no country that is completely self-sufficient in weapons.

 

[gOtHmOG]

1. It is basically a political deal + a variety of technologies.

Please explain

 

[HROBOS]

Please explain

The hull itself is not interesting. However, the ship is equipped with electronic systems rather interesting (at least, according to the French side). Under the contract, Russia gets the Mistral in full set. It is planned to purchase four of these ships. Two are made in France and two in Russia. Russia is developing its electronic system for ships (but interesting to see what technologies have the potential of our "friends"). This two-sided process. West tries to get information about Russian capabilities. Russia in turn does the same.

 

[gOtHmOG]

And the political side of the deal is?

 

[HROBOS]

And the political side of the deal is?

Support Sarkozy (problems in the shipbuilding industry). Additional voices before the election. Such generosity is not for his "beautiful eyes", but all the details we will never know.
+ Nice bonus (a little shaken NATO). Despite a rather violent protests of some members of NATO, the transaction took place. Once again I am convinced the money is a terrible force.

 

[gOtHmOG]

Fair enough