Article Posted on : - Sep 08, 2011

A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia will soon receive two more Mistral warships from France before the end of 2011, Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on Wednesday.

According to a news report in RIA Novosti, Russia will sign a contract with France for the third and fourth Mistral-class amphibious ships.

"The contracts should be signed before the end of this year. The two new warships will be built in Russia," Anatoly Serdyukov was quoted as saying in the news report.

Russia has earlier signed two Mistral/BPC ships type force projection & command vessels contract in June with France, which includes the transfer of sensitive technologies.

The contract was signed under the Franco-Russian intergovernmental agreement of 25 January for the supply of four Mistral warship.

Mistral class ships can carry and deploy up to 16 helicopters, including attack helicopters like France’s Tiger or Russia’s Ka-50/52.

It has 4 landing barges or 2 medium hovercrafts, which deliver armored vehicles, tanks, and soldiers to shore.