France Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

It's a buyer's market now:

''France Could Be Forced to Sell Mistrals at a Massive Discount
.............
Many experts doubt that France will be able to disperse the Mistrals promptly. "Selling someone ships these days is extremely difficult," IHS Jane's senior analyst of defense procurement Ben Moores told AFP.

The only real option France has is to offer a massive discount for the Mistrals. "They will have to seriously cut their price to make it attractive to another country," Moores added. And even in this case the deal, according to the expert, "could take years."
..............''

Link:


Back to bottling my Grenache

Miragedriver said:

Many experts doubt that France will be able to disperse the Mistrals promptly.

The only real option France has is to offer a massive discount for the Mistrals.

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Well, we'll see.

These vessels are not built to the strict military combat standards of US type LHDs or LHAs, or say the Japanese DDHs and probably the Chinese LPDs.

This means that by definition they are already cheaper.

If France offers a good price, a good interest rate, and nice terms, we may be surprised at how quickly someone picks them up.

I guess we will wait and see and let mother time answer the question.

You have to look at the potential buyers.

Britain? Nope They already have two CV
Japan? Already have three waiting for the forth to be launched this year.
Australia? They already acquired two recently
Brazil? Nope They already have a CV
India? Nope Again they already have their own CV
Indonesia? A possibility
SK? Again a possibility but having finacial problems and a large ship construction industry not likely
Saudi Arabia? Could be but they are not really into marine expansion
South Africa? What are they going to use it for?
China? I doubt EU will allow that.
Argentina? They don't have the cash and would most likely start a political infight with Britian
Germany? Could be They have the cash

Looking at the likely suspects you only got two nations that could be counted as a potential buyer (besides Canada). How are the Canadians going to use it anyways?

SamuraiBlue said:

You have to look at the potential buyers.

Britain? Nope They already have two CV
Brazil? Nope They already have a CV
India? Nope Again they already have their own CV

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Some of those are not potential good reasons because the Misral is an LHD, not a carrier.

Brazil may be looking for a better Amphibious option, as may India.

When you look at it from that perspective:

The UK already has a plan and will use the Ocean and the two Albion Class, and the Ocean will be replaced by the QE Class carriers acting in the role.

Turkey already made a decision for the Juan Carlos.
Canada already has built its two Juan Carlos derivative Canberras.
Algeria already decided on and built the San Giorgio derivative.
South Korea is using the Dokos
Japan has the Hyuga and Izumo classes.
China...will built their own.
Germany...no need.
South Afria...no need.
Argentina...will not be able to if they wanted.
Singapore...perhaps, but they already have their own indigenous LPDs.
Indonesia...I do not see then going LHD. They have four indigenous LPDs.
Canada cannot afford it.

I believe Brazil, India, and perhaps Singapore or the best potential customers. Indonesia maybe.

Jeff, regarding B2M I confirm that they will only be fitted with Browning M2 HB Type (12.7 mm) and FN MAG 58 (7.62 mm) initially.

Jeff Head said:

I believe Brazil, India, and perhaps Singapore or the best potential customers. Indonesia maybe.

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I'm pretty sure Brazil doesn't require an Amphibious Assault ship as well as India. (Basically the geographic terrain around their countries doesn't require it.) As for Germany and Canada I am sure they have plenty of money to burn and if Spain, Italy and France owns one, I am sure Germany could find a reason as well.
As for Singapore, they should be investing more in MPAs and cutters hunting down pirates around the Strait of Malacca then playing captain.

navyreco said:

Jeff, regarding B2M I confirm that they will only be fitted with Browning M2 HB Type (12.7 mm) and FN MAG 58 (7.62 mm) initially.

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Thanks NavyReco!

I would have thought perhaps a 25mm, but 12.7mm and 7.62mm will suffice for what it is intended.

In addition, they can probably attach other weapons when needed.

SamuraiBlue said:

I'm pretty sure Brazil doesn't require an Amphibious Assault ship as well as India.

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Both have investigated adding larger (LHD sized) vessels in the past. This would be a good opportunity to act on it if their planning is far enough advanced and if the price is right.

SamuraiBlue said:

As for Germany and Canada I am sure they have plenty of money to burn

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In terms of available funding, Germany perhaps...Canada not so much. But I do not think either has expressed an interest or desire for that size of amphibious assault vessel though.

SamuraiBlue said:

As for Singapore, they should be investing more in MPAs and cutters hunting down pirates around the Strait of Malacca then playing captain.

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I agree...that's why they are a longer shot in my opinion.

Jeff, just got confirmation for you that the mortars will be taken off the BATRALs, refurbished and installed on B2M

navyreco said:

Jeff, just got confirmation for you that the mortars will be taken off the BATRALs, refurbished and installed on B2M

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Thank you my friend.