Russia To Scrap Construction Of $1.2 Billion Mistral Class Ships

The Russian Defense Ministry will scrap its plans to build two Mistral class amphibious assault ships under the French license in Russia, according to local news reports. In 2011, Russia and France signed a $1.2-billion contract for two French-built Mistral class ships, including the transfer of sensitive technology. And the first ship, known as the , the Vladivostok is currently under construction in France and is expected to be delivered in 2014, while the second shop the Sevastopol, is scheduled for delivery in 2015. Business daily Vedomosti added that the domestic construction of the two ships would cost Russia approximately the same amount of money as the French contract, while their future upkeep would lay a heavy burden on the defense budget. A Mistral-class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.