Mistral, however, will go to Russia? “We can pick it up on November 14″ – Newsweek Poland

France announced that November 14 will provide Russia’s first landing ship Mistral – says Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

The second unit of this type called “Sevastopol” is – according to Rogozin – the same day to be launched, although the French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, that Paris will wait until November to the decision of whether to deliver the first of two ships.

– Rosoboronexport (Russia’s main arms exporter – ed. ) received an invitation to the November 14 Saint-Nazaire on the transfer of Russia the first ship “Vladivostok” and launching a second – said Rogozin.

At the beginning of September France announced that it was suspending Russia to November to provide the first Mistral because of the actions of Moscow in Ukraine. On the sidelines of the NATO summit in Wales, President Francois Hollande said that the contract for delivery of two Mistral Russia has not been broken or suspended, but not ripe conditions for planned for October delivery of the first ship. Hollande insisted once again in October, that the terms of the transfer of these ships are Russian ceasefire and a political solution to the Ukraine.

Russia both Mistral bought for $ 1.2 billion euro on the basis of a contract concluded in 2011 under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy. It was the first significant contract for the import of military equipment contained by Moscow since the fall of the Soviet Union.

“Vladivostok” was supposed to Russia in October., And “Sevastopol” – in November 2015. In the French Atlantic port Saint-Nazaire, where are built Mistral, a few weeks is trained over a hundred Russian sailors to operate the ship “Vladivostok”. This unit can carry 700 troops, 16 combat helicopters and 50 armored vehicles.

Mistral “Vladivostok” put to sea with the Russian crew

Mistral, however, will go to Russia? "We can pick it up on November 14″ – Newsweek Poland