For Sale: France Mentions Potential Candidates Willing to Buy Mistrals

[[Bregs]]

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Francois Hollande made a joint decision to terminate the 1.2-billion euro ($1.32 billion) Mistral contract signed in June 2011.



Following the termination, the French Mistral-class helicopter carriers are now awaiting new customers, said French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in an interview with RTL, although he did not elaborate as to who the prospective buyers are, Atlantico reported.

“There are many interested buyers because it is a high quality vessel with wide application,” said the minister.

However, Jean-Yves Le Drian said earlier that it would be extremely difficult for Paris to sell the Mistral somewhere else because they are designed according to Russian requirements. He hinted that he would be glad if the United States agreed to purchase the helicopter carriers but Washington had not responded to such a proposal.


A number of countries are rumored to be interested in purchasing the Mistrals, including China and India. Not a single nation has made an open bid for the warships built specifically for Russia so far.

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Read Also: Rumors of China Buying Russian Mistrals Could be US' Worst Nightmare / Sputnik International

France's former Minister of Transport Thierry Mariani said that Paris had surrendered to the influence of the United States and Europe in deciding to terminate the Mistral contract with Moscow.

Russian parliament member Franz Klintsevich also noted that it would not be easy for France to find a new application for the Russian-built Mistral.

“Honestly, I really do not know what they (France) will continue to do with the two ships they’ve already built, which in terms of design were originally made for the Russian weapons. Nothing else can be fixed into there,” Klintsevich said, according to RIA Novosti.


Should a third party opt to by the two helicopter carriers, refitting them could cost millions. Meanwhile, the two ships are costing French taxpayers up to $5.5 million in maintenance per month.


According to the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade, the use of the Mistral is impossible without Russian helicopters and landing crafts. Keeping that in mind, the Mistral will either be sent for scrap or converted into a floating immigration camp for migrants from North Africa.



For Sale: France Mentions Potential Candidates Willing to Buy Mistrals / Sputnik International

 

[rockstar08]

Its good Opportunity for India and Indian Navy to put their Hands on State of the Art Ships ...

@Rashid Mahmood your Opinion , if IN buy these Ships , will they create a Imbalance of Power in South Asian Seas ?

 

[Providence]

Its good Opportunity for India and Indian Navy to put their Hands on State of the Art Ships ...

@Rashid Mahmood your Opinion , if IN buy these Ships , will they create a Imbalance of Power in South Asian Seas ?

Not sure if India would be purchasing them. They wouldn't like to ruskies to be envious of them !

 

[rockstar08]

Not sure if India would be purchasing them. They wouldn't like to ruskies to be envious of them !

Ohh, yeah that would p!ss of Russian to see IN operating a Ship that was suppose to be in Russian Waters, but i am affraid , that India care less about what Russia Think's these days .. dont you think ?

 

[wowler]

Ohh, yeah that would p!ss of Russian to see IN operating a Ship that was suppose to be in Russian Waters, but i am affraid , that India care less about what Russia Think's these days .. dont you think ?

Don't tell me that you have read tender paper and eligibilty criteria of companies that can enter into tender for indian LHD programme.

 

[power of steel]

At Normandy allies landed millions of troops, thousands of tanks, with cargo ships. Ships like Mistrals are too expensive and they are all fancy no practicality.

 

[surya kiran]

Its good Opportunity for India and Indian Navy to put their Hands on State of the Art Ships ...

@Rashid Mahmood your Opinion , if IN buy these Ships , will they create a Imbalance of Power in South Asian Seas ?

The IN is looking for western LPDs which can support western aircraft.

As for the imbalance of power between the two navies, where was there any balance? The PN is nowhere even remotely close to the IN in terms of firepower. And I am not even considering the aircraft carriers with their air wings.

 

[Mo12]

India can buy it and then give it to Russia as well

 

[wowler]

The IN is looking for western LPDs which can support western aircraft.

As for the imbalance of power between the two navies, where was there any balance? The PN is nowhere even remotely close to the ICG(indian coast guard) in terms of firepower. And I am not even considering the aircraft carriers with their air wings.

Corrected.

 

[surya kiran]

Not sure if India would be purchasing them. They wouldn't like to ruskies to be envious of them !

The IN has more exercises with the USN than any other navy. If you speak to the IN chaps, they are very happy with the same. And they are procuring the S70 B. And they want a look at the Ospreys. They have been briefed by the Americans.

Plus add to that, they want to build four of the LPDs in India. Unless, Mistral wins this contract through a tender it seems really difficult.

 

[Abingdonboy]

@Rashid Mahmood your Opinion , if IN buy these Ships , will they create a Imbalance of Power in South Asian Seas ?

Come on, what difference are these ships going to make in the IN-PN equation? The IN is already operating 2 ACCs, LHDs aren't going to add a new level to the superiority of the IN over the PN, it will just be more of the same.

Ohh, yeah that would p!ss of Russian to see IN operating a Ship that was suppose to be in Russian Waters, but i am affraid , that India care less about what Russia Think's these days .. dont you think ?

The French and Russians have come to an agreement on this deal so I don't think the Russians will be too bothered and they would not have an issue with the IN getting them.

 

[ayesha.a]

At Normandy allies landed millions of troops, thousands of tanks, with cargo ships. Ships like Mistrals are too expensive and they are all fancy no practicality.

Normandy happened in a bygone era, before the proliferation of anti ship missiles. Today, any cargo ship sailing into enemy harbour will be sunk. Only sophisticated ships like the Mistral have a chance of landing troops on enemy shores. (Against a capable enemy, that is.)

Mistrals are important for navies like Britain, France or USA, who need to wage war only far away from the homeland. Not sure it is needed in the Indian navy though.

 

[Rashid Mahmood]

Its good Opportunity for India and Indian Navy to put their Hands on State of the Art Ships ...

@Rashid Mahmood your Opinion , if IN buy these Ships , will they create a Imbalance of Power in South Asian Seas ?

They already operate a Carrier and embarked helos on all DDG/FFGs, so it won't make much of a difference.
However, it will make a rather bigger asset to defend...

 

[hcbb]

India will not buy it that's for sure maybe china.

 

[rockstar08]

They already operate a Carrier and embarked helos on all DDG/FFGs, so it won't make much of a difference.
However, it will make a rather bigger asset to defend...

some times size matters , even for enemy