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RUSSIA TO BASE MISTRAL-CLASS ASSAULT SHIPS IN FAR EAST PORTS
April 16, 2013 - 13:50 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will base its French-made Mistral-class
amphibious assault ships in the Far East ports of Vladivostok and
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky when they enter service, a senior Defense
Ministry official said in an interview, according to RIA Novosti.
Russia signed a 1.2-billion euro deal with a French shipyard in 2011
for two Mistral-class ships, the first of which is due for delivery
in 2014 and the second in 2015.
"There are several options [for their location], but the choice fell
on Vladivostok due to its existing transport infrastructure," Roman
Filimonov, head of the Defense Ministry's construction department,
said.
"In future, we should create conditions for a short-term base equipped
for storage replenishing, loading and unloading troops and crew rest
in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky," Filimonov said.
Other possible bases for the ships are still being considered, he
added. A navy spokesman told RIA Novosti in 2011 one of the ships
could be based with Russia's Northern Fleet.
Filimonov said the necessary infrastructure for the two ships is due
to be built in the Primorsky Krai by 2015.
He also noted it is more convenient to dock the ships near major
cities to provide housing for the crew and their families. The
Mistral-class is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing
vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.
Procurement of the Mistral-class ships has been the subject of
considerable controversy within the defense community in Russia. In
January this year, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin criticized the
decision to buy the ships after it was revealed they needed high-grade
fuels and lubricants which were not produced in Russia in order to
operate in cold temperatures.
From: Baghdasarian
April 16, 2013 - 13:50 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia will base its French-made Mistral-class
amphibious assault ships in the Far East ports of Vladivostok and
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky when they enter service, a senior Defense
Ministry official said in an interview, according to RIA Novosti.
Russia signed a 1.2-billion euro deal with a French shipyard in 2011
for two Mistral-class ships, the first of which is due for delivery
in 2014 and the second in 2015.
"There are several options [for their location], but the choice fell
on Vladivostok due to its existing transport infrastructure," Roman
Filimonov, head of the Defense Ministry's construction department,
said.
"In future, we should create conditions for a short-term base equipped
for storage replenishing, loading and unloading troops and crew rest
in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky," Filimonov said.
Other possible bases for the ships are still being considered, he
added. A navy spokesman told RIA Novosti in 2011 one of the ships
could be based with Russia's Northern Fleet.
Filimonov said the necessary infrastructure for the two ships is due
to be built in the Primorsky Krai by 2015.
He also noted it is more convenient to dock the ships near major
cities to provide housing for the crew and their families. The
Mistral-class is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing
vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.
Procurement of the Mistral-class ships has been the subject of
considerable controversy within the defense community in Russia. In
January this year, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin criticized the
decision to buy the ships after it was revealed they needed high-grade
fuels and lubricants which were not produced in Russia in order to
operate in cold temperatures.
From: Baghdasarian