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Poll Shows Majority of French People in Favor of Delivering The Two Mistral Class LHDs to Russia

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Naval Force News - Russia, France
 
 
 
Poll Shows Majority of French People in Favor of Delivering The Two Mistral Class LHDs to Russia
 
According to a recent poll ordered by French financial newspaper La Tribune and conducted by international marketing firm IFOP, a large majority of French people (64%) are in favor of delivering the two Mistral-class LHDs to Russia.

The poll was conducted between 9 and 12 January among 1001 people. French people appear to be favorable to the delivery considering the economic consequences that would follow a cancellation of the contract. Russia could cancel its contract with France if Paris fails to hand over the first Mistral helicopter carrier until the end of January, a high-ranking source in Russia’s Defense Ministry told TASS on Wednesday.
     
According to a recent poll ordered by French financial newspaper La Tribune and conducted by international marketing firm IFOP, a large majority of French people (64%) are in favor of delivering the Mistral class LHDs to Russia.
 Russian Navy Mistral class LHD Vladivostok
     
According to an official statement made by the French presidency on November 25th, the delivery of the first Mistral-class LHD, built for Russia is on hold "until further notice". Russia and France signed a contract for two Mistral-class LHDs for $1.6 billion in June 2011. Under the contract, the first French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, the Vladivostok, was to be delivered to Russia by the end of the year, while the second ship, the Sevastopol, is due to be delivered next year.

"The President of the Republic considers that the current situation in the east of Ukraine still does not allow delivery of the first BPC (LHD). It therefore considers it appropriate to postpone, until further notice, the examination of the application for authorization necessary for the export of the first LHD to the Russian Federation, " said the French presidency in a statement.

In a statement released back in September, the administration of the French president said that the country’s government thinks that the delivery of the first Mistral-class helicopter carrier would not be appropriate under the present circumstances, referring to the situation in eastern Ukraine.

The ships are capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing craft, 70 armored vehicles and 450 soldiers, and are expected to be deployed with Russia’s Pacific Fleet.

Check out our technical datasheet to learn more about the Mistral class