PARIS, June 20 (UPI) -- A NATO member country for the first time is selling a major weapons system to Russia with France supplying ships to Moscow.
DCNS of France announced it will supply Moscow with two Mistral BPC-type force projection and command ships through an intergovernmental agreement reached in January that allows for the supply of four vessels in all.
The Mistral ships, which are landing ship docks, are 653 feet in length, displace about 24,250 tons and have a speed in excess of 18 knots.
The BPCs offer a global projection capability for troops and materiel, including heavy helicopters and landing craft, as well as ample capacity as a hospital ship or for large-scale humanitarian missions.
The value of the deal between DCNS and Russia's defense export agency, Rosoboronexport, wasn't disclosed.
DCNS said the contract for the two ships involves associated services, including initial logistics, training, and the transfer of technologies.
For this contract, DCNS will act as prime contractor and will integrate the operations direction and communication systems. The shipbuilding of platforms will be subcontracted to the STX shipyard at Saint-Nazaire in western France, assisted by Russian shipbuilder OSK.
A subcontract has been signed by STX and OSK.
The first ship will be delivered to Russia in 2014; the second in 2015.
