MOSCOW, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- A Russian official said plans to purchase a French warship will not be finalized in time for the Russian president's March trip to Paris.
The Defense Ministry source said Moscow is seeking to purchase a Mistral-class ship, worth about $540 million to $675 million, from French naval shipbuilder DCNS, but officials have yet to make a final decision despite the approval of the French government, RIA Novosti reported Friday.
The official said the Defense Ministry wants to buy the warship and "subsequently, we would like to use their know-how, jointly with France, to build another three."
"We would like to buy such a helicopter carrier and continue cooperation ... and continue building (such ships) here (in Russia)," he said.
However, the source said top officials have yet to make a final decision on the purchase and no deals are expected to be signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's March 1-3 trip to France.
