France Begins Mistral-Class Helicopter Carrier Construction

France has started construction of the first Mistral-class assault landing ship for Russian Navy. The contract for two French Mistral-class helicopter carriers for Russia, estimated to be worth around USD 1.6 billion, was signed in June 2011.

It is still unknown if the keel-laying for the second Mistral will take place before the date of payment for the first one.

With a length of 199 meters, a displacement of 21,500 tons and a speed of 19 knots, the Mistral-class helicopter carrier offers a global projection capability for troops and materiel including 450 troops and 16 heavy helicopters plus one of several options: two hovercraft, two new-generation EDA-R high-speed landing craft, four LCM-type landing craft or one-third of a mechanized regiment complete with armored vehicles (representing a payload of 1,000 tons). The vessel also offers ample capacity as hospital ships or for large-scale humanitarian missions. The design features electric propulsion using azimuth pods and high-level automation compatible with a complement of just 170. A high-performance communications suite, a 3D surveillance radar and a Senit 9 combat management system (CMS) make the type ideal as a naval force command vessel.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, December 2, 2011; Image: DCNS