Defense Ministry opts for French assault ship

RT -

The Russian Defense Ministry has chosen the French universal amphibious assault ship Mistral as the winner of the tender announced earlier in October.

“We are now negotiating all the necessary price terms, and I believe all the documents will be signed this year,” Chief of the General Staff, four-star General Nikolay Markov said.

Mistral ships were named as the most likely winners from the very beginning, and Russia put much effort into facilitating the deal. Talks with France over the purchase started in March 2010.

The combat vessels could not be purchased directly because Russian legislation requires holding an open tender for most procurement contracts signed by state bodies. The French offer competed with those of Spain, South Korea and Germany.

The terms of the contract have not been disclosed, but it is estimated that the Defense Ministry will pay 1.5 billion Euros for the four Mistral-class helicopter carriers it will receive.

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