Future of the French/Russian Mistral LHDs

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
From the article is this wee gem
which would be good for India but doesn't stop an overall sale as the french can still bypass that by maintaining ownership but leasing it on to (eg) SNMG-1

the Russians have tried to insert a sale restriction clause so as to hobble the potential sale to an enemy of the State (eg) Ukraine today, Poland/Germany/Japan etc even though its highly unlikely

its a loss of face clause
 

FormerDirtDart

Well-Known Member
From DefenseNews this afternoon.
The UAE has confirmed interest in acquiring one of the ships.
"Our interest in purchasing the ship is real, it fulfils the capability requirements for our forces," the government source said. "The Mistral ships are in line with our equipment and capabilities."
Also reported via the Moskovsky Komsomolets, sources from the Russian military approved the possible sale of both ships, one to the UAE, the other to Egypt.
The Russian language paper also quoted sources stating that Russia will provide financial support to Egypt for purchase of a ship. And, that Egypt would commit to the additional purchase of a number of Ka-52 helicopters.

UAE Confirms Interest in Mistral Ship
 

Ranger25

Active Member
Staff member
Russian Tech may stay on board depending on buyer

From DefenseNews this afternoon.
The UAE has confirmed interest in acquiring one of the ships.


Also reported via the Moskovsky Komsomolets, sources from the Russian military approved the possible sale of both ships, one to the UAE, the other to Egypt.
The Russian language paper also quoted sources stating that Russia will provide financial support to Egypt for purchase of a ship. And, that Egypt would commit to the additional purchase of a number of Ka-52 helicopters.

UAE Confirms Interest in Mistral Ship
Russia has confirmed if a buyer of their approval purchases the Mistrals, they would allow their tech to remain aboard. Initial news is still focused on Egypt and India.

Would make sense as the Russians could immediately sell aircraft such as the KA-25 and KA-52 to the new buyer.


French Offical: Russian Systems May Stay Aboard Mistrals if Egypt Buys
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Would make good sense given the new "race" for the Arctic and Canada's vast impact there. They were hardened for Arctic use
You have probably read some posts on this thread and others regarding the build quality of the Mistrals. For this reason alone I lost interest. The other consideration is the costs related to outfitting to them to RCN requirements and the strain that would place on Canadian shipyards that need to concentrate on other urgent RCN projects. I guess the work could be outsourced to a foreign yard but the political blowback would be excessive for any of the current parties in the upcoming election. The whole issue is likely moot as some other country will buy before Canada could ever issue a PO.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Well removal of Russian equipment from the Mistrals has begun. I wonder what this means for the chances of an Egyptian buy, since reportedly Russia stated that the equipment could be left on for them.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
They can always buy it from Russia & have it re-fitted. At least they know it fits.

If they're really interested, you'd think they'd ask for a stop work order. The fact that work is going ahead - well, maybe not really interested, or maybe they'd prefer western equipment, perhaps for interoperability with the UAE, Saudis or whoever.
 
They can always buy it from Russia & have it re-fitted. At least they know it fits.
I'm sure as part of the compo package from the French, it included the cost of removal.

IMV, this would be the normal course for two reasons. If they don't sell-on to an acceptable customer, the gear would be removed and I'm sure certain systems/ gear the Russian Govt doesn't want passed to a third party, regardless of whether their deemed acceptable from a ToT point of view.

The obvious is the financial aspect. France pays to 'strip it' and the (possible) follow-on customer pays again for the fit it out.

I think the two sisters are still in play to the obvious 2-3 countries already stated
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Egypt buys 2 warships from France, 2nd big military purchase
I wonder how much Egypt is paying - & whether someone else is providing the money.

It's also been reported that Egypt is buying 50 Ka-52, possibly including Ka-52K, which could operate off the LHDs.
TASS: Military & Defense - Source: Egypt buys 50 Russian Alligator helicopters, deck-based version may be supplied
No doubt they got a decent deal and even if they didn't there is likely some Saudi money in the deal. The Russians might even have an agreement in the helicopter deal with the Russians to evaluate the Mistrals when the training the Egyptians to operate the Ka-52s. One thing we do know for certain, Egyptian procurement people move way faster than their Indian and Canadian counterparts!
 

FormerDirtDart

Well-Known Member
Egypt buys 2 warships from France, 2nd big military purchase
I wonder how much Egypt is paying - & whether someone else is providing the money.

It's also been reported that Egypt is buying 50 Ka-52, possibly including Ka-52K, which could operate off the LHDs.
TASS: Military & Defense - Source: Egypt buys 50 Russian Alligator helicopters, deck-based version may be supplied
I'm going to go out on limb and make an assumption that Russia will be providing Egypt with some financial assistance to purchase the ships

The Russian language paper also quoted sources stating that Russia will provide financial support to Egypt for purchase of a ship. And, that Egypt would commit to the additional purchase of a number of Ka-52 helicopters.

UAE Confirms Interest in Mistral Ship

Also, I wouldn't be completely surprised if this whole purchase agreement isn't part of some convoluted scheme, that will eventually find Russia acquiring both ships from Egypt in the end.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Also, I wouldn't be completely surprised if this whole purchase agreement isn't part of some convoluted scheme, that will eventually find Russia acquiring both ships from Egypt in the end.
Anything is possible I guess but I doubt your suggestion will happen. Egypt would pi$$ off too many partners. Besides, the Russians can learn everything they need to know about these ships while training on the use of their naval helicopters and then just build their own Mistrals which they were going to do for ships 3 and 4 anyway.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
The Russians have had a very good look at them already. They built parts of them, there were Russian workers in France working on them, & now Russians are removing Russian equipment from them.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
The Russians have had a very good look at them already. They built parts of them, there were Russian workers in France working on them, & now Russians are removing Russian equipment from them.
Agreed, the helicopter deal will allow them to see the ship running and will only provide minimal information that they didn't already know about.
 

swerve

Super Moderator
I think you've identified what they will be able to learn from, i.e. seeing the ships running - which should be handy, especially when it comes to operating the Ka-52 from flat-topped ships. May not be a big thing, but useful.
 

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
I think you've identified what they will be able to learn from, i.e. seeing the ships running - which should be handy, especially when it comes to operating the Ka-52 from flat-topped ships. May not be a big thing, but useful.
There are sketchy plans to add anti-sub capabilities to the Ka-52K in the future, and even operate them off of 1155s and 956s. And the AVMF is still getting a regiment of Ka-52Ks. Despite the cancellation of the Mistrals. So seeing the Egyptians operate them will definitely help. Especially when making decisions about their own LHD design.
 
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