The Green Screen

Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has started contract negotiations on the purchase of a French-built Mistral-class ship, the company's head said on Wednesday.

"Rosoboronexport has been appointed the implementer of the contract on the purchase of a French Mistral helicopter carrier by the [Russian] Defense Ministry," Anatoly Isaikin told RIA Novosti.

"We are carrying everything out strictly within the framework of Russia's legal system. This prescribes going through a number of stages which include the assessment of technical parameters and negotiation process involving the Defense Ministry," he went on.

Isaikin said a number of expert groups had been set up within Rosoboronexport to negotiate the deal with France.

"All the work on this ship is being carried out in close collaboration with the Defense Ministry. This is a joint effort," he added.

Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one French-built Mistral-class ship and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.

The Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.

The Russian military has said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets.


In another article, Putin said " "For us, this deal is interesting only if it is accomplished with a parallel transfer of technology, so that our shipbuilders both civilian and military receive a new technological boost for development," Putin said in an interview with Agence France Presse and France 2 TV. "



President Saakishvilli of Georgia visited Paris just before Putin to complain about this sale.. Putin's response was that Russia did not need these ships to invade Georgia.. Which did make sense !



Apparently the major difference between the French Version of the ship and the ones being built for Russia will simply be that Russia will not require the "Emergency" flag-pole which would be used to raise the "white flag".

General Patton once said that he would rather have the German army in front of him than the French army behind him.. hmm..



Seriously, its supposed to be a modern, very capable ship.. Its considered state of the art.. It can rapidly deploy attack helicopters and armored vehicles to a war. Its not like the French will ever actually use it, after all..
Going to war without taking France is like going deer hunting without taking your accordion...

Quote:Apparently the major difference between the French Version of the ship and the ones being built for Russia will simply be that Russia will not require the "Emergency" flag-pole which would be used to raise the "white flag".

LMAO......



AK

I thought that was a cool ship.

Imagine being the President of Georgia and complaining that Russia is an aggressive nation.. Then Putin responds " we don't need those ships to kick your do " ..

I thought that was really funny..

Military experts say that if Russian had been in possession of just 2 of these ships, they could have reduced the 26 hours it took to destroy the Georgian Army, to less than 10 hours.. The ability to put 32 Kamov KA-52 Attack helicopters into the battle in such a short time would have reduced the time and effort for the Russian Armed forces greatly.



Imagine being a rinky dink armed forces like Georgia and having 32 of those attacking you ..

France currently only has one of those ships.. Russia will have 4.. Republicans including John McCain are furious that Nicholas Sarkozy, the President of France has already agreed to this sale.. Its gonna happen..

The complaint is the radar system on the ship, which is about as state of the art as a radar system gets.. Russia is behind in that technology.. So are they buying the ship ? or the radar?

Nowadays you buy the avionics and build the structure around it.




AK