“Mistral” will give currency – BBC

Russia and France have agreed in advance on the amount of the penalty, which the French side to pay for refusing to supply helicopter carriers “Mistral”. The decision must be approved by the governments of the two states. If it happens, France will be able to sell vehicles to a third country, but, according to experts, will make it difficult.

France and Russia may soon put an end to the protracted history with ships, helicopter carriers of the “Mistral “. The fact that the two sides reached an agreement on the amount of compensation, according to RIA “Novosti” a source in the military-technical circles.

«During June, managed to reach a pre-agreed on both sides of the decision on the amount of compensation payments to France for non-Russian” Mistral “. Pre – because the decision must be approved by the two governments are now “, – said the agency.

The fate of the “Mistral” was discussed at the highest level. According to “Gazety.Ru” This issue was raised during a meeting with Russian President former French president Sarkozy. Earlier, the Russian side has threatened to appeal to the international court.

The representatives of the French side, said the publication ChallengeSoir, insisted that the total amount of compensation does not exceed one billion euros, otherwise it would have caused a painful reaction in the French society.

The French authorities explained that the contract provides for a maximum penalty of 250 million euros, but the Russian side insisted on a much larger sum – already paid an advance payment in the amount of 890 million euros, as well as an additional 300 million euros in compensation for losses creating port infrastructure and adaptation of vessels under the Russian Ka-52. The Russian side also demanded that France has paid EUR 60 million for equipment installed on both ships.

At the same time, the Russian side has already announced that it intends to build its own helicopter, which will not be copied “Mistral”. This was in May, said deputy chairman of the Chairman of the Military-Industrial Commission of Russia Oleg Bochkarev.

Reaching agreement enables France to sell the vehicles to a third country. Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Ruslan Pukhov believes that it will be difficult to attach ships, “the French fleet they are not needed, and the likelihood that they will be there, not great” – said the expert.

As for the other countries of the world, then there may be a problem: “Everyone has his own needs, and this ship was made for Russian needs” – said the expert.

In addition, the scandalous transaction involving the “Mistral”, will certainly scare off potential buyers.

The contract for the construction of two “Mistral “- they received” Vladivostok “and” Sevastopol “- was signed by” Rosoboronexport “and the French company DCNS in June 2011. The total contract amount – 1.5 billion euros. Many doubted the wisdom of the purchase of expensive imported vehicles, and even called it a gesture of gratitude on the part of Russia. So, then-President Nicolas Sarkozy promoted the peaceful settlement of the Russian-Georgian conflict.