"France looking for warship buyers after cancelling..." Topic

…Mistral deal with Russia.

"François Hollande and Vladimir Putin agree to scrap €1.20 EURbn sale of Mistral carriers, with French government to reimburse Moscow's costs

For sale: two state-of-the-art warships. One finished, fitted out and in good sailing order. The second: half-finished. Never used. No owners (careful or otherwise).

France is looking for a buyer for two Mistral helicopter carriers after cancelling a controversial €1.20 EURbn (£840m) deal with Russia.

The official announcement that the ships would not be delivered came on Wednesday after talks between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and his French counterpart, François Hollande…"
Full article here
link

YouTube link

It seems a good opportunity !. Anyone interested …? (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

A news article yesterday indicated that France would've keeping them, but perhaps that just meant not selling them to Russia. Russia is being refunded and all Russia equipment is being removed. Perhaps all NATO members can chip in and share them

I didn't think they were allowed to sell the ships under the terms of the purchase agreement with Russia.

They can:

1. Sell to Russia as planned
2. Use them themselves
3. Scrap them

The French navy is not interested in operating them as it already has three (rather than four as originally planned) and the additional units' operating cost would come at the expense of other ships.

Whatever the terms of the purchase agreement, it is now dead and buried: France gives a full refund (without penalty), has full ownership of the vessels and can do whatever it wants with them.

Apparently, there is strong interest from Egypt (with Saudi Arabia bankrolling the purchase) and somewhat more tentative prospects with Singapore and Canada.

It would be a miracle if Canada gets one. We're still arguing about replacing our naval helos after 10+ years!

Yes, the indication yesterday was that a full agreement had been reached:

link

"French President Francois Hollande's office said that Russia will be "fully reimbursed" for the two warships. It said that France will keep both vessels."

As I say, that may be 'keep' as in not sell to Russia, rather than 'keep' as in keep for themselves.

I did not know that the Egyptian Navy operates any vessels larger than missile boats. They would have to train officers and crews to man these large ships.

I wonder whether the Iranians will bid? They seem to be going on a military buying spree.

The Turks are building their own helicopter carrier/amphibious assault ship. They seem to be interested in projecting power around the Eastern Med. But they might not be able to afford the purchase.

Why not operate them as NATO ships with multi national crews? They could be primarily tasked as humanitarian relief ships.

Egyptian Navy has operarted ex USN Perry and Knox class Firgates for years…

The Egyptian Navy just bought a FREMM frigate from France along with Rafales but a Mistral would seem to be some sort of white elephant, I agree.

Maybe the Argentine government show their interest! (big smile)

Difficult… even the few ships we have are sunking in the ports (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

I would like to buy one, but it's not my scale.

Bottom line is that Russia gets back some urgently need hard currency, and Putin + cronies will pocket half of it.

I'm sure the Chinese would like them.

Perhaps too, the Saudis or Egyptians, to aid their war in Yemen.

Antonio… dude! (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Not me!!! I would have to sell off my micro Armor, both modern and WW2, along wtih 15mm: Civil War, Zulus & Brits, Sudanese, French Foreign Legions, etc. Also some Battle tech, WH40K, and Dirside and anything else.
Anyone else want to go in with me as partners? Looking for 4-5 others…..