JSC Russian Helicopters to equip Mistrals

The delivery contract for helicopters to be stationed on Mistral-class ships would be signed not through Rosoboronexport but between JSC Russian Helicopters and Russian defense ministry, said Director General of Rosoboronexport Anatoly Isaikin on Aug 17 at MAKS-2011 aerospace show.

"This is an internal order, such contract would be signed between JSC Russian Helicopters and defense ministry", he said. Rosoboronexport participates only in procurement of the ships themselves, but not helicopters, emphasized Isaikin.

The EUR 1.2 bln contract for construction of two French Mistral-class landing ships for Russian Navy was signed in June 2011 at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum after months of painstaking negotiations. The first ship is supposed to join Russian Navy in three years. The notorious contract for construction of other two Mistrals in Russia will be tight later.

Displacement of Mistral-class assault landing ship is 21,000 tons; overall hull length is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operational range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 plus up to 450 men. Air wing includes 16 helicopters; six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck.

Rusnavy