Russian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Moskva, lead ship of the Project 1164 Atlant class of guided missile cruisers in the Russian Navy and flagship of the Black Sea fleet, will be sent to the Ship Repair Center "Asterisk" (located in Severodvinsk) at the end of 2015 for modernization according to "Interfax " citing the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Click to expand...

navyreco said:

Moskva cruiser (Project 1164 Atlant - Slava class) flagship of Russia Black Sea Fleet to be refitted

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...

PARIS — French defense officials are exploring ideas to avoid delivering a second helicopter carrier to Russia, including looking for an alternative client for the Sevastopol, analysts and an industry executive said.

A highly discreet review is being held as armed strife rises in eastern Ukraine and top US officials call for NATO allies to boost defense spending and act as a counterweight to Russia.

“The deal raises a fundamental policy issue not just for France but for the alliance,” said Robbin Laird of consultancy ICSA, based in Washington and here.

Paris is in a political crossfire between the US and Russia. Washington has publicly called for breaking the contract, while Moscow has threatened a hefty financial punishment while praising France’s “reliability as a partner.”

In 2011, Russia signed a deal for the two Mistral-class carriers, listed as amphibious assault ships or landing helicopter dock, worth €1.2 billion (US $1.6 billion) with a first delivery in four years. Moscow also holds an option for two more vessels.

France is effectively “trapped” on the Vladivostok, the first of the two ships, with a delivery in October, Laird said.

But French officials are reviewing the second vessel, along with considering offering the ship to another nation.

“The ministry is clearly looking for an alternative,” Laird said. Russia has yet to pay fully for the Sevastopol, allowing France some time to explore options, he said. That second ship is due for delivery late next year.

Loic Tribot La Spiere, chief executive of think tank Centre d’Etude et Prospective Stratégique, said he has heard of the search for alternatives and a possible re-sale to an ally.

An industry executive said President François Hollande and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius have made public statements about honoring the Russian contract, seen effectively as Plan A, but “it’s logical” officials are also searching for a Plan B, which could lead to withholding the second warship.

France may have to take a financial hit, but a political statement could be made.

“The situation is not easy, but France can show leadership,” Laird said.

A senior defense analyst said, “It’s highly likely Defense Ministry analysts are looking at all the possibilities. This is primarily a political problem.

“The industrial aspect is not the key factor as the contract is not vital for the French defense sector,” the analyst said. “What is at stake is the bilateral relations between France and Russia. And there is also the fact there are other European states exporting arms.”

Part of the French problem is a prospective defense spending cut of €6 billion, Tribot La Spiere said. Financial difficulty has pushed Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to play the role of “super salesman” for French arms, he said. The feared budget cut adds pressure to find another buyer for the Sevastopol.

If Paris were to answer positively to Washington’s call, France could also offer the second ship to the US, Laird said.

A French diplomat said France has not approached the US on a purchase. When asked whether the US has discussed purchasing the ships from the French, or if the US has any interest, a US State Department spokesman referred to recent comments by deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf at a press briefing.

Harf said US Secretary of State John Kerry and Fabius had discussed on May 13 the delivery of the ships.

“We’ve expressed our concerns to the French government several times over this sale, and don’t think it’s an appropriate time to move forward on such military sales given Russia’s actions that we’ve seen recently to destabilize its neighbors,” she said.

An analyst said France has an image to maintain as a reliable arms vendor.

“The French have the reputation that if they sign a contract they’ll deliver,” said Joel Johnson, analyst with the Teal group. “The French will hold their nose longer than the US will.”

Johnson said, however, that France’s reputation could quickly be altered if it decides against delivering the ship. “They’ll end up with a reputation like the US,” Johnson said. “If you look at Latin America, they don’t see the US as a reliable supplier. In cases like that, the French have moved in.”

Fabius has warned that if Russia interferes with Ukraine’s presidential elections in May-June, the third batch of European sanctions would be applied.

A first round of votes is due May 25, with a second and final round in June if needed.

An adviser to Hollande said the ship is not on the list for a third round of sanctions against Russia, daily Le Monde reported May 11.

The ship sale meets with international law and France will decide in October on whether to proceed, Fabius has said.

“We are not there,” the diplomat said.

A Defense Ministry spokesman referred to Hollande’s remarks that a decision would be taken in October and declined comment. A US defense official said there has been no discussion of the Mistrals in the regular meetings with French officials.

A French naval expert said a hold on the second ship would show President Vladimir Putin that Europe could harden its position and perhaps re-arm its forces. This message would be strengthened if a solution could be found, be it through NATO or the EU, to have this ship reinforcing European navies, the expert said.

Also, Brazil is seen as a possible client for the Sevastapol, as the regional power bought the French Navy’s retired Foch carrier and renamed it the Sao Paulo.

Click to expand...

Miragedriver said:

Thank you Jeff! Great update on the Kirov class.

It is always sad to see a good looking ship, such as the Kirov class, in such a state of abandonment and disrepair. All of those majestic vessel that where constructed during Soviet times rusting away due to lack of monies for basic maintenance and modernizations. Most people and even world leaders don’t realize the cost of training, operating and maintaining a modern navy. But navies are essential to any sea faring nation on the world stage. You cannot be a world power without a Navy. US Navy and England in the modern era; and England, France and Spain in historical time.

Click to expand...

asif iqbal said:

What's the point in Euorpe restarting it's arms procurement to deter Russia when you are at the same time selling then arms

Click to expand...

Pointblank said:

There is a possibility that France will withhold the 2nd Mistral class amphib from Russia over the Ukraine Crisis. No word if the intention is to keep the ship, or sell it to another country (Brazil is mentioned as a potential customer, and other larger Western-aligned European nation are mentioned as possibilities, or even to the US):

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

Click to expand...