en.rian.ru...
ULAN BATOR, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is planning on signing by the end of 2009 a contractual agreement with France on the purchase of a
Mistral class amphibious assault ship, the chief of the Russian General Staff said on Wednesday.
"We are planning to reach an agreement [with France] this year on the production and the purchase of a Mistral class vessel," Gen. Nikolai Makarov
told a news conference in the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator.
"We are negotiating the purchase of one ship at present, and later planning to acquire 3-4 ships [of the same class] to be jointly built in Russia,"
the general 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 could be used as an amphibious command ship.
Makarov did not disclose the amount of the deal, but a high-ranking Russian source close to negotiations earlier said the ship could be worth between
300 and 400 million euros ($430-580 mln).
The Russians tend to research and produce their own weaponry for many decadees, what does this purchase mean? In the long term does Russia get to buy
every Western made wearponry? German made 212s? Leopard tanks? Eurofighters? F-22s? With this ship, does Russia tend to use this as a power
projection? Perhaps the French will sell the Russians the future carrier being built in cooperation with the British. Disturbing.
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They're also planning to buy Israeli UAV drones. American tech to fall on Russia hands. Oh, dear... 
Russia is the most advance country in the world when it comes to rocketry and plane-making. But that's just about it. They lag in other areas.
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Reply to post by deltaboy
you really cannot project power with a few ships of this type.
Russia is capable offd building ship but I suspect that there are a few reasons for this deal
Russia may not even need a gator navy but no doubt there will be workshare as part of this deal
even if they just use this as an ASW platform they will save a ton on r&d
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reply to post by FredT
Maybe not, but it could be a start. They may buy a French made future carrier if they believe that the Mistral ship has met their expectations.
Wouldn't put it past the French to produce and sell a carrier for the Russians, especially when the Russians can't produce their own for a long
time. And I haven't even mention about aircraft that will take off from that future Russian carrier.
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This ship seems to carry a very capable force that can be easily deployed. It seems like a good deal since Russia hasn't been focusing too much on
their navy lately IMO (aside from Borei subs).
Plus Sarkosy seems to be pretty cozy with Putin. Anyone ever see video of the two of them drinking together at some summit and Sarkosy had to make a
speech while hammered?
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So many misinformed people posting as if they even know about the subject.
This would not be the first time the Russians would buy foreign weapons. IF this even goes ahead.
Theres been lots and lots of articles in recent times quoting this Russian general or that Russian general, saying Russia will do this, build that,
buy that.
And what's with the "wouldn't put it past the French" crap?
Just because the USofA sees Russia as an enemy, does not mean the European powers(excluding the Brits) see them that way too.
They have always done business with each other.
French and Russian aviation firms actually co-operate together these days.
The Germans are big buyers of Russian gas.
America might like to burn all it's bridges, but the Europeans aren't world powers to this day without a reason.
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Originally posted by deltaboy
Maybe not, but it could be a start. They may buy a French made future carrier if they believe that the Mistral ship has met their expectations.
Wouldn't put it past the French to produce and sell a carrier for the Russians, especially when the Russians can't produce their own for a long
time. And I haven't even mention about aircraft that will take off from that future Russian carrier.
Delta , no offence mate but neither the UK or the US is in a position to talk about selling arms to other countries. Or shall we overlook the fact
that Britain is going to sell to a dangerous nation like Saudi Arabia top of the range fighter planes?
- Devil
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