A contract sealing the landmark sale by France of two Mistral-class amphibious assault ships to Russia was finally signed on 17 June by prime contractor DCNS and Russian defence export body Rosoboronexport. The accord followed two years of negotiations and came five months after a Franco-Russian government-to-government pact was inked in January. The deal marks the first sale of a major military platform to Russia by a NATO member state. While the January accord covered the supply of four Mistral vessels, the new contract merely covers the production and delivery of two ships. The second batch remains subject to negotiations, Jane's understands.
展开▼
