The import contract of two French Mistral class assault landing ships is being prepared up to the schedule, although such high-level deal cannot be closed at an early date, reports Rosoboronexport.

« This is a long, very long process », reported Interfax-AVN referring to Anatoly Isaikin, director general of FSUE Rosoboronexport.

He reminded the state contract signed between Rosoboronexport and Russian defense ministry provides procurement of two Mistrals.

Commenting reports that the Russian-French shipbuilding contract would be allegedly signed on March 15, 2011, Isaikin said: « Dates are conjectures. When hundreds of millions are at stake, such contracts need years of negotiations. It is ridiculous to expect that we would close such contract within several months ».

Anatoly Isaikin.

Speaking about details of the negotiation process, the head of Rosoboronexport particularly pointed out that the orderer – Russian defense ministry – should « first of all thoroughly determine specifications, and what exactly French partners are ready to transfer ».

As for him, this is the job of technical experts. The case has a legal side as well. Different countries have different legislation systems which not always match each other. « We’re inching towards the compromise in some matters and seek for some options. It is a careful and continuous work. Talks on the contract cost is a separate issue also needing time to reach mutually acceptable solutions », said Isaikin.

In particular, one should consider « dozens of items » while discussing the price. « Of course, the customer – in this particular case it is Russia – always wants to know how much each item costs and the general price pattern. We debate over every item one by one », Isaikin said.

As was previously reported, on Dec 24, 2010 Russia and France agreed about construction of two Mistral class assault landing ships in Saint-Nazaire (France), and other two – under license in Russia.

Standard displacement of Mistral class assault landing ship is 16,500 tons; full displacement is 21,300 tons; dock-load displacement is 32,300 tons; length is 199 meters; beam is 32 meters; draft is 6.2 meters; full speed is 18.8 knots; cruising range is up to 19,800 miles. The ship’s air wing includes 16 helicopters (8 landing and 8 combat ones); six of them can be simultaneously placed on the flight deck.

At present, French Navy has two Mistral class landing ships in inventory and builds the third one.

Unofficially, one ship costs about EUR 600 mln.

Text: Interfax-AVN