Russian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

23/10/2014 22:32

Kremlin Threatens to Sue France Over Possible Mistral Contract Breach

Updated 9:37 p.m. Moscow Time

SOCHI, October 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will sue France if Paris refuses to honor a contract on construction of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy, Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov said Thursday.

"We will file a lawsuit and demand compensation [if the contract is not fulfilled], as it's commonly done in a civilized world," Ivanov told reporters.

"It's up to Paris to decide whether to honor the contract or not," he said.

"We share long-running history of Russian-French relations, and we would not want to see these relations being sacrificed for the sake of fleeting [political] trends, Ivanov added.

Russia and France signed a 1.2 billion euro ($1.5 billion at the current exchange rate) deal for two Mistral-class ships in June 2011. The first carrier, the Vladivostok, is expected in Russia by the end of 2014. The second ship, the Sevastopol, is supposed to arrive in 2015.

The completion of the deal has been at risk since the West started implementing targeted economic sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis.

In September, French President Francois Hollande threatened to suspend the ships' delivery over Russia's alleged involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, which Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Hollande later stated he would make a decision on the ships' delivery in late October. The French president said that the delivery of the ships would be dependent on two conditions: an observed ceasefire in Ukraine and a political settlement of the conflict.

On September 30, deputy director general at Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Igor Sevastyanov said Russia and France could sign the act on delivering the first Mistral-class helicopter carrier to Russia in late October or early November.

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delft said:

From RIA-Novosti:

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I'll just wait and see.

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asif iqbal said:

Wow did France just do that I proposed this months ago some one make me in charge!

Anyhow I have a feeling it's a delay not complete ban unless NATO puts the money together and sells off the two units to a 3rd country but France will want to be paid in full, maybe a few country's can come up with the cash

I would like both units going to Turkey they need them and need them fast and would hugely enhance their amphibious capability

Btw a word of a caution you don't get away with messing around with the Russians so France better be ready to go the distance here because Putin is no walk over

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delft said:

You mean they need them for what? To make war on Syria in support of IS? To support the Kiev regime? Or what?

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Miragedriver said:

Russia will deliver 10 fighters to Vietnam and India in 2014

In the network of export contracts the enterprises of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) will deliver 4 Su-30MK2 fighters to Vietnam and .............

..... my Malbec

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France to Deliver First Mistral to Russia Around Mid-November: French Wharf Union

Updated 04:23 p.m. Moscow Time

SAINT-NAZAIRE (FRANCE), October 27 (RIA Novosti) – The ceremony for France handing over to Russia the first Mistral helicopter carrier will occur in mid-November of this year in the city of Saint-Nazaire, a representative from the port city's worker's union told RIA Novosti on Monday.

"The ceremony of France transferring the first Mistral helicopter under the name of the Vladivostok to Russia is [scheduled for] November 14 of this year," the representative said.

He said the date is not yet official, but the wharf's employees are preparing for the ceremony.

Earlier on the day, a representative for STX shipbuilding company told RIA Novosti that the handing over of the first Mistral ship is a matter of days or weeks.

In June 2011, Russia and France signed a 1.2 billion euro ($1.5 billion) deal for two Mistral-class helicopter carrier ships. The first carrier, the Vladivostok, was scheduled to arrive in Russia by the end of 2014. The second ship, the Sevastopol, is expected in 2015.

Earlier in September, French President Francois Hollande threatened to suspend the deliveries of the ships over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict.

In October, Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov claimed that Moscow will sue France in case the obligations on the Mistral carriers are not fulfilled. Last week, the Russian Navy said the country is not dependent on France on the issue and is capable of building similar warships on its own.

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antiterror13 said:

Is Vietnamese SU-30MK2 the same as the Chinese one? Has the Chinese SU-MKK/2 been upgraded since delivered? Is the Chinese allowed to upgrade SU-30MKK/2 by herself?

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