French Defense Minister: Russia May Never Receive Mistral Warships

French Defense Minister Says Russia May Never Receive Mistral Warships -- New York Times

PARIS — Two warships that France agreed to sell to Russia might never be delivered, the French defense minister said on Friday, drawing an angry response from Moscow, which said Paris must honor its contract in full.

The remarks by Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian came a week after President François Hollande said France would postpone the handover of the first of the ships to the Russian Navy “until further notice.”

“It is possible that we never deliver them,” Mr. Le Drian said in an interview on the news channel BFM TV. “The Russians must realize this situation.”

The Mistral-class ships are designed to transport several hundred troops to a battlefield by sea, along with the equipment and support they would need, including tanks and helicopters.

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More News On The French Defense Minister's Comments That Russia May Never Receive Mistral Warships

France may 'never deliver' Mistral warships to Russia -- France 24
France may never deliver Russia’s Mistral warships, defence minister -- RFI
Russia: France must follow through on warship delivery -- UPI
Lavrov: France 'Must Fulfill Obligations' Over Warship Delivery -- Defense News/AFP
Mistral issue is problem of France’s reputation — Lavrov -- ITAR-TASS
Russia Threatens Lawsuit After France Suspends Mistral Warship Delivery -- Moscow Times

Russia Tells France That Delays In Delivering The Mistral Carrier Will Damage Military Cooperation In The Future

© Sputnik. Danichev Alexe

Russia Says Mistral Delay Affects Future Military Cooperation -- Sputnik

Russian order of French ships was a display of trust on the Russian side, a gesture that even in the most important and complicated issues of security Moscow is willing to rely on its partners, Russian envoy to NATO said.

BRUSSELS, December 3 (Sputnik) — France's hesitancy to make good on its promised delivery of the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia have influenced Moscow's attitude towards military cooperation with its foreign partners, Russia's envoy to NATO, Alexander Grushko, said Wednesday.

"Of course the situation around the Mistral-class ships could not help but influence our attitude towards the possible cooperation with our partners in the military sphere," Grushko told journalists, reminding that Moscow has set a course for import substitution.

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More News On The Delay Of The French Mistral Carrier To Russia

Mistral problem to have impact on military cooperation -- ITAR-TASS
Delay in ‘Mistral’ deliveries causing France ‘significant cost’ - reports -- RT
Moscow demands the delivery of helicopter carriers from French navy -- CCTV
Future Mistral Crew to Stay in France Until Warship Handed Over to Russia -- Sputnik
Moscow hopes Paris will deliver Mistral ships -- Russia Beyond The Headlines
Lavrov: Controversy Around Mistral Deal Is France's Responsibility -- Sputnik
Russia doesn't rule out suing France over failed Mistral delivery -- ITAR-TASS

My Comment: Some people are having fun .... 'Buy the set!': Mistral warships go 'on sale' in Russian & French spoof ads (RT).

High Tech Equipment Stolen From French Mistral Helicopter Carrier That Is Being Built For Russia

© ITAR-TASS/Vadim Zhernov

'Non-Sensitive' Theft From Mistral Warship Earmarked For Russia -- Deutsche Welle

French authorities are investigating the theft of technical equipment from a warship whose delivery to Russia was scuppered by the conflict in Ukraine. The missing gear was said to be neither classified nor sensitive.

Two computer hard drives, a motherboard, and a graphics card contained within two central processing units were stolen from the Mistral helicopter carrier ordered by Russia and currently under construction in the Atlantic port of Saint-Nazaire.

Magistrate Fabienne Bonnet also clarified that the theft took place aboard the Sevastopol - the second of two Mistral-class vessels France is scheduled to deliver to Russia. The other ship, the completed Vladivostock, was initially set for delivery in October, but this has been suspended in light of developments in Ukraine. France's presidency confirmed the continued suspension of delivery "until further notice" on Tuesday.

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More News On the Theft Of High Tech Equipment From The French Mistral Helicopter Carrier That Is Being Built For Russia

Hi-tech equipment missing from warship France is building for Russia -- The Guardian
France: Electronic equipment stolen from Mistral helicopter carrier -- In Serbia News
Hi-tech gear stolen from Russia’s Mistral warship in France -- RT
Electronic equipment stolen from Mistral helicopter carrier built for Russia - media -- ITAR-TASS

Russia Gives France Until End Of November To Deliver Mistral Warship

Russia Gives France A Final Deadline To Hand Over The Mistral Warship -- Business Insider

Russia has given France until the end of November to deliver the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers currently stuck in a shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, according to reports.

The ship, the Vladivostok, was scheduled to be delivered on Friday, but that deadline is now certain to be missed. In response a senior Russian source told the state-owned news service Sputnik International that the French side had until the end of the month to hand over the ship or the whole deal could be in jeopardy.

"We are preparing for different variations. We'll wait until the end of the month, and then we'll make serious claims," the source told Sputnik.

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More News On The Russia - France Mistral Warship Deal

Moscow gives France until end of November to deliver warship -- AFP
Russia warns France of ‘serious’ consequences for carrier denial: report -- Washington Times
Russia to Seek $3 Billion in Fines from France over Mistral Carriers -- MINA
Russia prepared for any outcome of Mistral affair in relations with France — source -- ITAR-TASS
France Says Mistral Ship Won't Be Delivered To Russia; There Will Be No Handover -- IBTimes
France comes under US pressure over delivery of Mistral ships to Russia — French official -- ITAR-TASS
Moscow to seek damages if Mistral ship not delivered by end Nov - source -- RT
France hits back after Russia warns of Mistral compensation -- Reuters
‘Outraged’ French union urges Hollande to honor Mistral deal, 2,500 jobs at stake -- RT
No one else will buy Mistral that France built for Russia -- RT