Russia to soon decide on purchase of French amphibious assault ship

Moscow: Russia and France are soon expected to close technical discussions on the purchase of a French Mistral class amphibious assault ship by the Russian navy. Sources close to the negotiations have said that a decision on the purchase from Moscow should follow soon.

"We are holding technical consultations, which are expected to be completed by the end of September. The results will be reported to Russia's military-industrial commission in order to determine the viability of the purchase," the source said.

A group of Russian naval officers have already inspected a Mistral class ship at a French naval base in Toulon.

Though a similar class of ships is also available from countries such as the Netherlands and Spain, the source denied that these were under consideration by Russia.

"These countries also build amphibious assault ships of a similar class, but we have not considered their offers so far," he said.

A Mistral class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles including 13 main battle tanks, and 450 soldiers. The vessel is equipped with a 69-bed hospital and can be used as an amphibious command ship.

The ship could cost between 300 and 400 million euros ($430-580 million).

Reports earlier in August had quoted Gen. Nikolai Makarov, chief of the Russian General Staff, as saying that Russia would like to negotiate the purchase of one ship at present, and subsequently construct another 3-4 in Russia.