DTN News: France Defends Talks On Sale Of Warships To Russia
Source: DTN News / Timesonline.UK by Charles Bremner, Paris
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - March 2, 2010: The scene is set for conflict between France and its Nato allies when President Medvedev of Russia arrives in Paris today intent on ordering up to four powerful warships from French shipbuilders.
The first of the Mistral amphibious assault ship (LHD) was commissioned in 2006. Two of these ships are in service with the French Navy, named Mistral and Tonnerre. The third ship will be ordered in 2009 and forth is planned. Primary mission for these ships are amphibious landing operations. They also provide command and force projection capability. The Mistral class vessels are the largest combatants in the French Navy service after the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. They replaced the Ouragan class LSDs.
The new vessel uses four mechanized landing craft (LCM) or two hovercraft (LCAC) in the stern deck to deliver troops and vehicles ashore. It can carry a full tank battalion with up to 40 Leclerc MBTs, or up to 70 lighter vehicles. Ship provides accommodation for 450 marines, however surge capacity is 900. The Mistral class LHD has six helicopter landing spots. Up to 16 medium (NH90, Tigre) or 35 light helicopters can be carried and stored in the hangar deck. It is worth mentioning that every helicopter, operated by the French military, can land on these ships. Currently this class can not operate V/STOVL aircraft, as it has got no ski-jump bow associated equipment. Ships are equipped with 69-bed hospitals, furthermore hangar can also be converted into a modular field hospital. The Mistral class can be deployed as command and control vessels. Command center can host up to 150 personnel. Vessel is armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles and two 30-mm Breda-Mauser guns.
The Mistral class uses new propulsion technology, which gives ships significant maneuvering capabilities. It is an all-electric warship. Power is generated by four diesel generators, providing 20.8 MW. These vessels have a range of 10 700 nautical miles (20 000 km) at 14 knots.
Washington and the former Soviet bloc members of Nato are alarmed by President Sarkozy’s willingness to sell a 600ft Mistral Class amphibious assault ship, and possibly three more, to the Russian Navy.
Georgia, which was subjected to a Russian invasion in 2008, is leading the charge to stop Moscow acquiring Mistrals, which sell for about £400 million each.
Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, the chief of the Russian Navy, has described the helicopter and troop-carrying vessel as an ideal asset for Black Sea operations in the Caucasus.
No Nato nation has sold military hardware on nearly such a scale to Russia. France is arguing that the Mistral is little more than a freight vessel and that Moscow must be drawn into a partnership. “We cannot on one hand claim to be partners with the new Russia and, on the other hand, treat it like it was the old Soviet Union,” Hervé Morin, the Defence Minister, said.
The contract, which has been approved in principle by President Sarkozy, could create 2,000 jobs.
Russian officials said that no final decision had been taken on the order, but Mr Medvedev indicated in a French media interview last week that he hoped to clinch the warship contract on his Paris visit this week.
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Source: DTN News / Timesonline.UK by Charles Bremner, Paris
(NSI News Source Info) PARIS, France - March 2, 2010: The scene is set for conflict between France and its Nato allies when President Medvedev of Russia arrives in Paris today intent on ordering up to four powerful warships from French shipbuilders. The first of the Mistral amphibious assault ship (LHD) was commissioned in 2006. Two of these ships are in service with the French Navy, named Mistral and Tonnerre. The third ship will be ordered in 2009 and forth is planned. Primary mission for these ships are amphibious landing operations. They also provide command and force projection capability. The Mistral class vessels are the largest combatants in the French Navy service after the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier. They replaced the Ouragan class LSDs.
The new vessel uses four mechanized landing craft (LCM) or two hovercraft (LCAC) in the stern deck to deliver troops and vehicles ashore. It can carry a full tank battalion with up to 40 Leclerc MBTs, or up to 70 lighter vehicles. Ship provides accommodation for 450 marines, however surge capacity is 900. The Mistral class LHD has six helicopter landing spots. Up to 16 medium (NH90, Tigre) or 35 light helicopters can be carried and stored in the hangar deck. It is worth mentioning that every helicopter, operated by the French military, can land on these ships. Currently this class can not operate V/STOVL aircraft, as it has got no ski-jump bow associated equipment. Ships are equipped with 69-bed hospitals, furthermore hangar can also be converted into a modular field hospital. The Mistral class can be deployed as command and control vessels. Command center can host up to 150 personnel. Vessel is armed with two Simbad launchers for Mistral surface-to-air missiles and two 30-mm Breda-Mauser guns.
The Mistral class uses new propulsion technology, which gives ships significant maneuvering capabilities. It is an all-electric warship. Power is generated by four diesel generators, providing 20.8 MW. These vessels have a range of 10 700 nautical miles (20 000 km) at 14 knots.
Washington and the former Soviet bloc members of Nato are alarmed by President Sarkozy’s willingness to sell a 600ft Mistral Class amphibious assault ship, and possibly three more, to the Russian Navy.
Georgia, which was subjected to a Russian invasion in 2008, is leading the charge to stop Moscow acquiring Mistrals, which sell for about £400 million each.
Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, the chief of the Russian Navy, has described the helicopter and troop-carrying vessel as an ideal asset for Black Sea operations in the Caucasus.
No Nato nation has sold military hardware on nearly such a scale to Russia. France is arguing that the Mistral is little more than a freight vessel and that Moscow must be drawn into a partnership. “We cannot on one hand claim to be partners with the new Russia and, on the other hand, treat it like it was the old Soviet Union,” Hervé Morin, the Defence Minister, said.
The contract, which has been approved in principle by President Sarkozy, could create 2,000 jobs.
Russian officials said that no final decision had been taken on the order, but Mr Medvedev indicated in a French media interview last week that he hoped to clinch the warship contract on his Paris visit this week.
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US anti-missile sales raise tensions with Iran
Mystery of UAE plane with arms for China
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