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Russian delegation to arrive in Egypt to discuss delivery of equipment for Mistral-class LHDs

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Naval Industry News - Egypt, Russia
 
 
 
Russian delegation to arrive in Egypt to discuss delivery of equipment for Mistral-class LHDs
 
A Russian delegation has headed for Egypt to hold a new round of talks on the delivery of communications and control equipment for the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, a source in Russia’s military and technical cooperation sphere told TASS.
     
ENS Anwar El Sadat L 1020 Mistral class LHD Egyptian Navy
ENS Anwar El Sadat (L 1020) Mistral-class LHD of the Egyptian Navy.
Picture: Egyptian Navy
     
"The talks are under way. The Russian delegation has headed for Egypt to discuss a possible deal with the Egyptian side and submit quotations concerning the communications and control equipment," the source said.
TASS does not have any official confirmation of the information.

Russian presidential aide for military and technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin said earlier that Russia had offered Egypt advanced weapons and electronic warfare and communications systems for the Mistral-class ships.

A spokesman for the United Instrument-Manufacturing Corporation said that the communications and control equipment was almost ready for shipment to Egypt and could be delivered as quickly as possible if the relevant contract was signed.

Russia may also deliver the Kamov Ka-52K shipborne version of the Ka-52 Alligator (NATO reporting name: Hokum-B) helicopter to Egypt. The Ka-52K helicopter was developed specifically for the Mistral-class ships.
In October 2015, Sergei Ivanov, then-Russian presidential chief of staff, said that Egypt might purchase Russian-made helicopters and equipment designed for the Mistral-class ships for more than $1 billion.

The Mistral ships Egypt has received this year were initially intended for Russia. The construction of the two Mistral-class universal amphibious assault ships began in the French town of Saint-Nazaire in 2011 on order of Russia’s Navy. The first ship was designated as Vladivostok and the second was dubbed Sevastopol. In November 2014, French President Francois Hollande suspended the helicopter carriers’ handover at the very last moment over Moscow’s stance on developments in Ukraine and the Western sanctions imposed against Russia. The contract was fully annulled in the summer of 2015. As a result, Paris paid Moscow ˆ949.7 million in compensation and then sold the Mistral-class ships to Egypt.

Egypt refused to equip the Mistral-class ships with European or US helicopters. Later, Russia offered Egypt advanced weapons and electronic warfare and communications systems for the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.

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Gibka 3M-47 naval turret mount, air defense missile system
(Image renderring: DCNS)
     

At the bow, starboard side of Vladivostok, the following weapon systems are expected to be fitted:
1- AK-630M CIWS
2- DP-65, 55 mm antisaboteur grenade launcher
3- 14,5mm KPVT heavy machine gun on an MTPU mount
(Image renderring: DCNS)
     
Navy Recognition comments:
While they were still intended for the Russian Navy, Vladivostok type Mistral LHDs were set to receive a fully Russian weapons fit:
Self protection against air threats were going to be fulfilled by two Gibka 3M-47 air defense missile system: One located the bow, port side and another system located at the stern, starboard side.
Two AK-630M CIWS were set to be fitted (bow, starboard side and stern, port side) for close range protection against air and surface threats.
Some 14,5mm heavy machine guns were planned to be installed for protection against close range asymmetrical threats.
Four DP-65 antisaboteur grenade launchers were to be fitted on each side of the vessels. It is designed for protection of ships against attacks of underwater combat swimmers at external roadstead open anchor stops and bases. The system ensures single-shot and salvo fire with rocket grenades RG-55M and RGS-55.