France, Russia, and the Mistral Saga

[pmaitra]

Mistral warships: Russia and France agree compensation deal

 

[pmaitra]

France Seeking New Buyers for Mistral Warships

Should India buy it? Discuss in a dedicated thread.

 

[manindra]

In this Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 file photo, the Vladivostok warship, the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers ordered by Russia, docks on the port of Saint-Nazaire, western France. (AP/David Vincent)

The Associated Press
Published Wednesday, September 23, 2015 8:00AM EDT
Last Updated Wednesday, September 23, 2015 9:18AM EDT
PARIS -- Egypt has agreed to buy two Mistral-class warships from France, the French government said Wednesday, announcing its second military sale to that country this year.

The assault ships, which can each carry 16 helicopter gunships, 700 troops and up to 50 armoured vehicles, were originally intended for Russia until the deal finally fell apart because of the Ukrainian crisis.

The Canadian Press reported recently that Canada's defence minister had been "actively engaged" in sounding out the French about a possible purchase of the Mistral helicopter carriers, including a face-to-face exchange at the most recent NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels last June.

Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told The Canadian Press that the effort ground to a halt because of Canada's federal election campaign ahead of the Oct. 19 vote.

Russia's deal with France was originally supposed to be its biggest arms purchase ever from a NATO country.

France agreed to refund 950 million euros ($1 billion) already paid by Russia. France didn't say how much Egypt agreed to pay, but denied losing money.

Egypt also purchased 24 advanced fighter jets from France earlier this year for nearly $6 billion, as it sought international help to bomb Islamic State targets.

The Egyptian government has been battling a long-running insurgency in the northern Sinai region, which escalated after the military ousted Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013 amid massive protests against his rule and cracked down on Islamic groups. A local Islamic State affiliate has been claiming responsibility for militant attacks in the area.

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/egypt-b...hips-france-wouldn-t-sell-to-russia-1.2576825

 

[pmaitra]

Thread reopened, and members are requested to continue discussion from previously forked thread from here.

 

[amoy]

Egypt to buy French Mistral warships originally built for Russia

President Francois Hollande and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi “have agreed on the principle and terms and conditions of Egypt’s acquisition of the two Mistral-class vessels”, the statement said.

According to sources close to the French presidency, the price-tag for the ships is expected to land at around €950 million.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival at an EU summit in Brussels, Hollande said that the deal with Egypt would ensure that France is not “losing anything” after having aborted its original sale plans to Russia.

The two 200-metre (650-foot) amphibious helicopter carriers were due for delivery to Moscow by the end of this year in a deal worth an estimated €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) – the biggest arms sale ever by a NATO country to Russia.

But Paris delayed, and eventually refused, to deliver the warships to Moscow over Russia’s suspected backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Hollande's office announced last month that a deal had been reached with President Vladimir Putin to pay Russia compensation for cancelling the delivery of the two Mistrals, with Russia set to be "fully reimbursed" for the money it had already paid.

Egypt also purchased 24 Rafale fighter jets from France earlier this year for nearly $6 billion, as it sought international help to bomb Islamic State group targets.

Mistral-class warships can carry 16 helicopter gunships, 700 troops and up to 50 armored vehicles.

 

[Gabriel92]

Egyptians buying these ships is a big sueprise. Mistral case closed.

 

[sorcerer]

Egyptians buying these ships is a big sueprise. Mistral case closed.

With the money and support from Saudi.

 

[Gabriel92]

With the money and support from Saudi.

Who cares if it is even Zimbabwe that funded them... We wanted to get ride of them,now these ships dont councern us at all.
No loss of money,no loss of «reputation»,a new buyer has been found....
Where are all these Russians ? @Cadian @marrakesh

 

[Rowdy]

Who cares if it is even Zimbabwe that funded them... We wanted to get ride of them,now these ships dont councern us at all.
No loss of money,no loss of «reputation»,a new buyer has been found....
Where are all these Russians ? @Cadian @marrakesh

Good now you have funds to support more refugees

 

[Yumdoot]

Egyptians buying these ships is a big sueprise. Mistral case closed.

Not at all. Egyptians have recently contracted for other equipment from you and they were vulnerable.

Entirely expected.

We too have some Jaguar and Hawk dependency on the Britishers. They too held back our LCA for more than an year and then we were palmed off useless stuff like Ground Attack Version of HAWK 132.

Most useless items come from west. West belongs to Rahu.

But you french never really sought proper consideration for Ardiden engines. Those engines are highly prized items. Or perhaps the pay off was black money of which our people have a lot and besides you French seem to love cash more than strategic balderdash.

 

[jackprince]

Who cares if it is even Zimbabwe that funded them... We wanted to get ride of them,now these ships dont councern us at all.
No loss of money,no loss of «reputation»,a new buyer has been found....
Where are all these Russians ? @Cadian

@marrakesh

Actually, it served Russia well. It did not lose out on money and actually profited financially since many equipments on board are Russian. Also, given the recent financial crunch, saving this $2 billion is great for them. This same fund they can divert to the development of the new full size aircraft career they have started working on.

 

[Gabriel92]

Good now you have funds to support more refugees

What refugees ? We arent so attractive for them,ive read somewhere that some «refugees» that came to France already fled to Germany. They only know Germany... The quotas are the biggest joke cuz they dont want to go to Romania or Poland.... They only want Germany and nordic countries,you will see in the coming months,refugees of the quotas all fleeing to Germany.

Not at all. Egyptians have recently contracted for other equipment from you and they were vulnerable.

Entirely expected.

We too have some Jaguar and Hawk dependency on the Britishers. They too held back our LCA for more than an year and then we were palmed off useless stuff like Ground Attack Version of HAWK 132.

Most useless items come from west. West belongs to Rahu.

But you french never really sought proper consideration for Ardiden engines. Those engines are highly prized items. Or perhaps the pay off was black money of which our people have a lot and besides you French seem to love cash more than strategic balderdash.

The Egyptians wanted to seek equipments from other suppliers than US which they have some problems with,i dont see any problem with that.
We can bash the socialists,but they surely know how to sell our defence products and create jobs in the defence industry....

Actually, it served Russia well. It did not lose out on money and actually profited financially since many equipments on board are Russian. Also, given the recent financial crunch, saving this $2 billion is great for them. This same fund they can divert to the development of the new full size aircraft career they have started working on.

In the time of economic crisis,Russia should use the money they have to diversify their oil dependent economy,to boost their infrastructures that are decaying... etc. . But no. When they have some money theyll invest them on useless tanks and aircraft carriers ......