Moscow Demands Return of Communication systems Installed On Mistral

Russia has opened discussions with France this week on returning its communication systems installed on the Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

Moscow and Paris discussed the unavoidable situations related to the return of Russian equipment which was already installed on the ships at the round of consultations held this week in Moscow. Further, the talks specifically were about the communications systems that have to be returned to Russia in the same condition in which they had been delivered to France, the Sputnik International reported today.

However, still both the governments have not discussed the return of the two ships' afts, which were built at Russia's Baltic Shipyard and installed on the Mistrals.

Russia and France signed a $1.5-billion contract for the purchase of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers in 2011 but in November 2014, France cancelled the contract citing Moscow's participation in Ukraine's internal conflict.

Earlier, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the country's government was encouraged to end the Mistral deal during the October 2014 visit to Washington.The failure to fulfil the contract with Russia is costing the French economy $1.3 billion, Le Drian added.