MOSCOW, June 17 (UPI) -- Russia signed a deal Friday to buy two assault naval carriers from France in the biggest arms transfer to Russia since World War II, an arms expert said.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was in St. Petersburg to oversee the signing of the contract, worth around $1.7 billion, by Anatoly Isaikin, director of Russia's Rosoboronexport state-controlled arms exporter, and Patrick Boissier, president and chief executive officer of the French shipbuilder, which is contracted to build the Mistral-class amphibious assault warships for the Russian navy, RIA Novosti reported.
The Mistral class of warship can typically carry 450 troops, 16 helicopters, four landing craft, 70 armored vehicles and assault boats.
Negotiations stalled over Russia's insistence that France transfer sensitive electric systems, but the NATO member finally agreed to an unprecedented transfer of cutting-edge technology,
French President Nicolas Sarkozy deemed the contract a sign of strategic partnership.
"The signing of the contract … points to a strategic level of cooperation between France and Russia, as well as the constant support that it gets from the heads of state," the Elysee Palace said in a statement, RIA Novosti said.
The deal has alarmed one of Russia's neighbors, Georgia, and many NATO members are questioning the wisdom of France turning over such a high level of its technology to Russia.
