Article Posted on : - Feb 03, 2012

French-built Mistral-class assault ship. A file photo.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian Navy will induct the first Mistral class amphibious assault ship into service in next 36 months, a media report said.

"The first Mistral class ship was laid down at a DCNS shipyard in Saint-Nazaire on February 1," RIA Novosti quoted Russian Navy Commander Adm. Vladimir Vysotsky as saying on Wednesday.

In June 2011, Russia had signed a $1.2-billion contract with France for the procurement of two French-built Mistral class ships, including the transfer of sensitive technology.

The French-built ships will be named Vladivostok and Sevastopol, he added.

The Mistal-class force projection and command vessel, with a length of 199 metres, is capable of carrying troops and deploying heavy helicopters, hovercraft, landing barges and armoured vehicles.

Russia will construct 20% of the first warship, 40% of the second and 80% of the last two, which are to be built on Russian territory.

The Russian military has said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets, according to reports.