France is sending a warship to Russia ahead of a groundbreaking deal for the purchase of a helicopter carrier. The planned purchase of the French amphibious assault ship reaffirms Russia’s growing global reach and bid to beef up its forces. Russia’s Navy General Staff Oleg Burstev told local media that the Mistral helicopter carrier would arrive later in November on a trip to St Petersburg. He confirmed that Moscow had given the green light to Paris for the purchase of a similar-type vessel with plans to construct a further four warships under license. We plan to buy one Mistral-class ship in France and with technical support from the French to build four helicopter carriers of this class under license, Burstev said during a news conference. The negotiations for the deal are being held between STX France and DCNS, France’s civil and naval shipbuilders, and the Russian Defense Ministry. If concluded, the deal will mark the most important transfer of military equipment to Russia by a NATO member. Mistral class amphibious assault ships can carry 16 heavy (such as NHI NH-90s or Eurocopter Tigres) or 35 light helicopters, four landing barges and up to 70 vehicles including 13 Leclerc tanks, or a battalion of these tanks consisting of 40 units. The ships are being acquired for troop-carrying, peace-keeping and rescue operations. What’s more this ship can be effectively used for fighting pirates, including those off the coast of Somalia. These ships can carry 450 soldiers and are equipped with a hospital with 69 beds. With a full load displacement of 21,300 tonnes, Mistrals are 199 meters long and can sail at a speed of 18.8 knots (35 km/h).
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