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'{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Mistral''-class amphibious assault ship}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2012}} {|{{Infobox ship begin}} {{Infobox ship image |Ship image=[[File:BPC Dixmude.jpg|300px|Mistral]] |Ship caption=BPC [[French ship Dixmude (L9015)|''Dixmude'']] (L9015) in Jounieh bay, Lebanon 2012. }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Name=''Mistral'' |Builders=[[STX Europe]]<ref name=globalsecurity>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/mistral-program.htm|title=Mistral Construction Program|publisher=Globalsecurity.org}}</ref><br>[[DCNS (company)|DCNS]]<ref name="globalsecurity"/><br>[[Admiralty Shipyard]] |Operators={{navy|France|name=Marine Nationale}}<br /> {{navy|RUS}} (future, uncertain) |Class before=[[Foudre class landing platform dock|''Foudre''-class]] |Class after= |Subclasses= |Cost=€451.6m<ref name=Francebudget2012>{{Cite web | url=http://www.senat.fr/rap/a12-150-8/a12-150-815.html#toc290 | title=Projet de loi de finances pour 2013 : Défense : équipement des forces | language=French | publisher=Senate of France | date=22 November 2012 | accessdate=2013-11-07}} ''Dixmude'' cost France €451.6m at FY2012 prices</ref> <small>(FY 2012)</small> (~US$600m) |Built range= |In service range= |In commission range=December 2005 – present |Total ships building= 2: ''Vladivostok'', laid down for Russia in February 2012, Delivery halted September 2014; ''Sevastopol'', laid down for Russia in June 2013 |Total ships planned=5–7 |Total ships completed=4 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active=[[Mistral (L9013)|''Mistral'']], [[Tonnerre (L9014)|''Tonnerre'']], [[Dixmude (L9015)|''Dixmude'']] |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Ship type=[[Landing helicopter dock]] |Ship displacement=16,500&nbsp;tonnes (empty)<br />21,300&nbsp;tonnes (full load) |Ship length={{convert|199|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|32|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship draught={{convert|6.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship power=3 [[Wärtsilä]] diesel-alternators 16 V32 (6.2&nbsp;MW) + 1 [[Wärtsilä Vaasa]] auxiliary diesel-alternator 18V200 (3&nbsp;MW) |Ship propulsion=2 Rolls-Royce Mermaid [[azimuth thruster]]s (2 × 7&nbsp;MW), 2 five-bladed propellers |Ship speed={{convert|18.8|kn|km/h|0}} |Ship range={{convert|10800|km|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|18|kn|km/h|0}}<br/>{{convert|19800|km|nmi}} at {{convert|15|kn|km/h|0}} |Ship boats=4 CTM (chaland de transport de matériel)<br />alternatively, 2 [[Landing Craft Air Cushion|LCAC]] (Landing Craft, Air Cushion) |Ship capacity=59 vehicles (including 13 [[AMX-56 Leclerc]] tanks) or a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion |Ship troops=900 (short duration)<br />450 (long durations)<br />150 (serving as operational headquarters) |Ship complement=20 officers, 80 petty officers, 60 quarter-masters |Ship sensors=DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 navigation radar<br />MRR3D-NG air/surface sentry radar<br />2 optronic fire control systems |Ship EW= |Ship armament=2 × [[Mistral missile|Simbad]] systems<br/>4 × [[M2 Browning machine gun|12.7&nbsp;mm M2-HB Browning machine guns]] |Ship aircraft=16 heavy or 35 light helicopters |Ship aircraft facilities=6 helicopter landing spots |Ship notes= }} |} The '''''Mistral'' class''' is a class of three [[amphibious assault ship]]s, also known as a [[helicopter carrier]], of the [[French Navy]]. Referred to as "projection and command ships" ({{lang-fr|links=no|bâtiments de projection et de commandement}} or BPC), a ''Mistral''-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 [[NH90]] or [[Eurocopter Tiger|Tiger]] helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles including 13 [[AMX-56 Leclerc]] tanks, or a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://netmarine.net/bat/tcd/mistral/index.htm |title=BPC Mistral |work=netmarine.net |date= |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> and 450 soldiers. The ships are equipped with a 69-bed hospital, and are capable of serving as part of a [[NATO Response Force]], or with United Nations or European Union peace-keeping forces. Three ships of the class are in service in the French Navy: [[French ship Mistral (L9013)|''Mistral'']], [[French ship Tonnerre (L9014)|''Tonnerre'']], and [[French ship Dixmude (L9015)|''Dixmude'']]. A deal for two ships for the Russian Navy was announced by then [[French President]] [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] on 24 December 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14735429,00.html |title=Russia agrees to landmark purchase of two warships from France &#124; Europe &#124; Deutsche Welle &#124; 24.12.2010 |publisher=Dw-world.de |date=24 December 2010 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> and signed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister [[Igor Sechin]] and French Defence Minister [[Alain Juppé]] in the presence of Sarkozy on 25 January 2011.<ref name="en.rian.ru">{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110125/162296245.html|title=Russia, France sign warship agreement|work=RIA Novosti|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> On 3 September 2014, French President [[Francois Hollande]] announced the halt of delivery of the first warship, the Vladivostok, due to Russia's involvement in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia.html|title=Putin Outlines 7-Point Plan for Ukraine Cease-Fire|date=3 Septemoer 2014|author=Neil MacFarquhar and Andrew Roth|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''|accessdate=2014-09-03}}</ref><ref name="BBC1">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29052599|title=Ukraine crisis: France halts warship delivery to Russia|publisher=''[[BBC News]]''|date=3 September 2014|author=|accessdate=2014-09-03}}</ref> ==History== ===French doctrine of amphibious operations in 1997=== In 1997, the [[Direction des constructions navales|DCN]] started a study for a multi-purpose intervention ship (''bâtiment d’intervention polyvalent'' or BIP). At the same time, the French doctrine of amphibious operations was evolving and being defined as the CNOA ({{lang-fr|links=no|Concept national des opérations amphibies}}, "National design for amphibious operations").<ref name="CNOA">{{cite journal |last= |first= |author=Arnault |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor1-first=Jean-Marie |editor1-last=Veyrat |editor1-link= |date= April 2005 |title=The national concept of amphibious operations |trans_title= |journal=Objectif Doctrine |volume= |series= |issue=36 |page= |pages= |at= |publisher=Ministry of Defence |location=Metz |issn=1267-7787 |pmid= |pmc= |doi= |bibcode= |oclc= |id= |url=http://www.cdef.terre.defense.gouv.fr/publications/Objdoc/objdoc36/article_us/art1.pdf |language= |accessdate= |laysummary= |laysource= |laydate= |quote= |ref= |postscript= }}</ref> The BIP was to renew and increase the amphibious capabilities of the French Navy, which at the time consisted of two [[Foudre class landing platform dock|''Foudre'']]-class and two [[Ouragan class landing platform dock|''Ouragan'']]-class [[landing platform dock]]s. The CNOA was to assert the French Navy's capability to perform amphibious assaults, withdrawals, demonstrations, and raids. This would allow the French Navy to further integrate into the doctrinal frameworks described by NATO's ''Allied Tactical Publication'' n° 8B (ATP8) and the [[European Amphibious Initiative]]. While the CNOA made air capabilities a priority, it also recommended an increase in the number of vehicles and personnel that could be transported and deployed;<ref>''[http://www.cedoc.defense.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/BEM_No33.pdf Bulletin d’études de la Marine]'' no 33 (March 2006), p.7</ref> the CNOA fixed the aim to project a force comprising four combat companies (1,400 men, 280 vehicles, and 30 helicopters) for ten days, in a 100 kilometre-deep sector; this force should be able to intervene either anywhere within 5000 kilometres of the French [[Metropolitan France|metropole]], or in support of French oversea territories or allies.<ref name="CNOA" /> As well as joint operations with NATO and EU forces, any proposed ship had to be capable of inter-service operations with the [[Troupes de Marine]] brigades of the [[French Army]].<ref>''Terre information magazine'' {{ISSN|0995-6999}}, no. 184 (May 2007)</ref> ===Evolution of the concept=== The studies for a multi-purpose intervention ship ({{lang-fr|links=no|bâtiment d’intervention polyvalent}}, BIP) began during a time where the defence industries were preparing to undergo restructuring and integration. The BIP was intended to be a modular, scalable design that could be made available to the various European Union nations and constructed cooperatively, but political issues relating to employment and repartition of contracts caused the integration of the European nations with naval engineering expertise to fail, and saw the BIP project revert to a solely French concern.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}} In 1997, a series of common ship designs referred to as {{lang|fr|''nouveau transport de chalands de débarquement''}} (NTCD), loosely based on the aborted [[PH 75]] nuclear helicopter carrier, were revealed. The largest of these was BIP-19, which later became the basis of the ''Mistral'' class. The BIP-19 design included a {{convert|190|m|ft}} long flush deck, with a {{convert|26.5|m|ft|adj=on}} beam, a draught of {{convert|6.5|m|ft}}, and a displacement of 19,000 tonnes; dimensions which exceeded the requirements of the NTCD concept. Three smaller ship designs were also revealed, based on scaled-down versions of the BIP-19 design and with a common beam of {{convert|23|m|ft}}: BIP-13 (13,000 tonnes, {{convert|151|m|ft}}), BIP-10 (10,000 tonnes, {{convert|125|m|ft}}), and BIP-8 (8,000 tonnes, {{convert|102|m|ft}}). BIP-8 incorporated features of the Italian [[San Giorgio class amphibious transport dock|''San Giorgio''-class]] amphibious transports, but included a helicopter hangar. [[File:EDIC Sabre.JPG|thumb|left|Landing craft ''Sabre'']] At the design stage, the NTCD concept featured an aircraft lift on the port side (like the [[Tarawa class amphibious assault ship|''Tarawa'' class]]), another on the starboard side, one in the centre of the flight deck, and one in front of the island superstructure. These were later reduced in number and relocated: a main lift towards the aft of the ship was originally located to starboard but then moved to centre, and an auxiliary lift behind the island superstructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helicopassion.com/fr/03/nvr04.htm|title=Navy painter André Lambert|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> Concept drawings and descriptions created by ''[[Direction des Constructions Navales]]'' (DCN), one of the two shipbuilders involved in the project, showed several aircraft carrier-like features, including a [[Aircraft carrier#Ski-jump ramp|ski-jump ramp]] for [[STOBAR]] aircraft (allowing the operation of [[AV-8B Harrier II]] and [[F-35 Lightning II]]-B aircraft), four or five helicopter landing spots (including one strengthened to accommodate [[V-22 Osprey]] or [[CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53E Super Stallion]] helicopters), and a [[well deck]] capable of accommodating a ''[[Sabre class landing craft]]'', or 2 [[Landing Craft Air Cushion|LCAC]] hovercraft.<ref>[http://frenchnavy.free.fr/ships/lhd/ntcd_fr.htm TCD classe NTCD]</ref> A review by the [[French Senate]] concluded that STOBAR aircraft were outside the scope of the CNOA, requiring the modification of the design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senat.fr/rap/a01-090-8/a01-090-80.html|title=Avis du Sénat français no 90 du 22 novembre 2001|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> The NTCD was renamed into ''Porte-hélicoptères d’intervention'' (PHI, for "intervention helicopter carrier") in December 2001, before being eventually named ''Bâtiment de projection et de commandement'' (BPC) to emphasise the amphibious and command aspects of the concept.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netmarine.net/bat/tcd/mistral/histoire01.htm|title=Histoire du BPC Mistral (2000 - 2006)|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> ===Design and construction=== At Euronaval 1998, the French confirmed that they were planning to construct a series of vessels based on the BIP-19 concept. However, construction of two ships, ''Mistral'' and ''Tonnerre'', was not received until 8 December 2000. A contract for construction was published on 22 December, and after receiving approval from the public purchase authority (''Union des groupements d’achats publics'', UGAP) on 13 July 2001, was awarded to ''[[Direction des Constructions Navales]]'' (DCN) and [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique]] at the end of July. An engineering design team was established at [[Saint-Nazaire]] in September 2001, and following consultation between DCA and the ''[[Délégation Générale pour l'Armement]]'' (General Delegation for Ordnance, DGA) began to study and adapt the BIP-19 design. In parallel, the general concept was being refined by DGA, DCN, the [[Chief of the Defence Staff (France)|Chief of the Defence Staff]] and Chantiers de l'Atlantique. During the design and validation process, a 1/120th scale model was constructed and tested in a [[wind tunnel]], revealing that in strong crosswinds, the height of the ship and elongated superstructures created turbulence along the flight deck. The design was altered to minimise these effects and provide better conditions for helicopter operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onera.fr/zoominthelab/32-ships-aerology-lille-windtunnel.php |title=Air streams on the water |author=Cécile Michaut |date=1 June 2007 |work= |publisher=[[Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales]] |accessdate=5 February 2010}}</ref> <gallery> File:TCD vs BPC 2.svg|Comparison between the BPC and the preceding [[Foudre class landing platform dock|TCD]] types. File:Dixmude-Surcouf-IMG 8395.jpg|The [[Dixmude (L9015)|''Dixmude'' (L9015)]] dwarfing the stealth frigate [[:en:French frigate Surcouf (F711)|''Surcouf'' (F711)]] moored in Toulon </gallery> The ships were to be constructed at various locations in two major and several minor components, which would be united on completion. DCN, which was designated the head of construction and made responsible for 60% of the value of construction and 55% of the work time, assembled the engines in [[Lorient]], combat systems in [[Toulon, France|Toulon]], and the rear half of the ship, including the island superstructure in [[Brest, France|Brest]]. [[STX Europe]], a subsidiary of [[STX Shipbuilding]] of [[South Korea]], constructed the forward halves of each ship in [[Saint-Nazaire]], and was responsible for transporting them to DCN's shipyard in Brest for the final assembly.<ref name=globalsecurity>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/mistral-program.htm|title=Mistral Construction Program|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> Other companies were involved in the construction: some of the construction work was outsourced to [[Stocznia Remontowa de Gdańsk]], while [[Thales]] provided the radars and communications systems. It was predicted that each ship would take 34 months to complete, with design and construction for both ships costing 685 million Euros (approximately the same cost for a single ship based on [[HMS Ocean (L12)|HMS ''Ocean'']] or [[USS San Antonio (LPD-17)|USS ''San Antonio'']], and approximately the same cost as the preceding [[Foudre class landing platform dock|''Foudre''-class]] amphibious ships, which displaced half the tonnage of the ''Mistral''-class ships and took 46.5 months to complete).<ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htamph/articles/20070529.aspx Marines : Mistral Shows Up LPD 17], in ''Strategy Page'' (29 May 2007)</ref> Starting from ''Dixmude'', the rest of the French ''Mistral''s and the first two of the Russian ''Mistral''s will all be built in Saint-Nazaire by STX France, which is jointly owned by STX Europe, Alstom and the French government, with STX Europe having the majority stake. DCNS will provide the ship's combat system.<ref name=globalsecurity /> <gallery> File:FS Mistral 03.jpg|Assembly of the rear part of ''Mistral'' in Brest during September 2003 File:FS Mistral 04.jpg|Arrival of the forwards part of ''Mistral'' in Brest on 19 July 2004 </gallery> DCN laid the aft keels for both ships in 2002; ''Mistral'' on 9 July, and ''Tonnerre'' on 13 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acoram.com/images/mistral/Dossier_de_presse_BPC.pdf|title=Découpe de la première tôle du ''Tonnerre''|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> Chantiers de l'Atlantique laid the keel of the forwards part of ''Mistral'' on 28 January 2003, and of ''Tonnerre'' later.{{When|date=February 2009}} The first block of the rear of ''Tonnerre'' was put in a dry dock on 26 August 2003, and that of ''Mistral'' on 23 October 2003. The two aft sections were assembled side by side in the same drydock. The forward section of ''Mistral'' left Saint-Nazaire under tow on 16 July 2004, and arrived in Brest on 19 July 2004. On 30 July, the combination of the two halves through a process similar to [[jumboisation]] began in dock no. 9. ''Tonnerre''’s forward section arrived in Brest on 2 May 2005, and underwent the same procedure. [[File:FS Mistral 02.jpg|thumb|''Mistral'' shortly after launching]] ''Mistral'' was launched on schedule on 6 October 2004, while ''Tonnerre'' was launched on 26 July 2005.<ref name=Janes08/> Delivery of the ships were scheduled for late 2005 and early 2006 respectively, but was postponed for over a year because of problems with the SENIT 9 sensor system and deterioration to the [[linoleum]] floors of the forwards sections. They were commissioned into the French Navy on 15 December 2006 and 1 August 2007, respectively.<ref name=Janes08/> The French ''Livre Blanc sur la Défense et la Sécurité nationale 2008'' (''White Paper on Defence and National Security''), a policy-defining document for matters of defence, forecast that two more BPCs would be in service with the French Navy by 2020.<ref>{{cite book |title=The French White Paper on Defence and National Security |last=Mallet |first=Jean-Claude |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2008 |publisher=Odile Jacob Publishing Corporation |location=New York |isbn=978-0-9768908-2-9 |page=336 |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/content/download/134828/1175142/version/1/file/LivreBlancGB.pdf |accessdate=12 February 2010}}</ref> A third ship was ordered in 2009, with this order being placed earlier than expected as part of the French government's response to the [[Late 2000s recession|recession which began in 2008]].<ref name="New Orders">{{cite news|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3869809&c=EUR&s=TOP|title=French Detail New Orders, Procurement Changes|last=Pierre|first=Tran|date=18 December 2008|publisher=DefenseNews|accessdate=20 December 2008}}</ref> Her construction began on 18 April 2009 in [[Saint-Nazaire]]; due to economic constraints, the entire ship was built there.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defencetalk.com/france-orders-third-projection-and-command-vessel-17883/|title=France Orders Third Projection and Command Vessel|last=DCNS|first=Tran|date=17 April 2009|publisher=DefenseNews|accessdate=18 December 2009}}</ref> On 17 December 2009, it was announced that the third ship of this class would be named [[French ship Dixmude|''Dixmude'']].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=111998&u=8623|title=Le 3ème BPC de la Marine nationale s'appellera ''Dixmude''|work=Mer et Marine|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/base/breves/apres_le_mistral_et_le_tonnerre_le_dixmude Après le Mistral et le Tonnerre, le «Dixmude»], Ministry of Defence</ref> It had been suggested that it might be given the historic name of ''Jeanne d'Arc'' following the decommissioning of the [[Jeanne d'Arc (R 97)|helicopter cruiser of that name]] in 2010, but the idea met opposition within some French naval circles.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/10/le-troisième-bpc-de-la-marine-seratil-la-nouvelle-jeanne-darc-.html|title=Le troisième BPC de la Marine sera-t-il la nouvelle "Jeanne d'Arc" ?|last=Merchet|first=Jean-Dominique|date=17 April 2009|publisher=[[Libération]]|accessdate=20 February 2010}}</ref> The possibility of a 4th Mistral-class ship was officially abandoned in the [[2013 French White Paper on Defence and National Security]]. ==Features and capabilities== [[File:Le Tonnerre.JPG|thumb|left|''Tonnerre'']] Based on displacement tonnage, ''Mistral'' and ''Tonnerre'' are the largest ships in the French Navy after the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier [[Charles de Gaulle (R 91)|''Charles de Gaulle'']], for roughly the same height above water. ===Aviation=== The [[flight deck]] of each ship is approximately {{convert|6400|m2|sqft}}. The deck has six helicopter landing spots, one of which is capable of supporting a 33 tonne helicopter. The {{convert|1800|m2|sqft|adj=on}} hangar deck can hold 16 helicopters, and includes a maintenance area with an overhead crane. To aid launch and recovery, a DRBN-38A Decca Bridgemaster E250 landing radar and an [[Optical Landing System]] are used. [[File:Mistral-photog07.jpg|thumb|The flight deck of ''Mistral'' as seen from the island superstructure. Both lifts can be seen: the main lift at the rear of the ship, and the auxiliary lift on the extreme left of frame.]] The flight and hangar decks are connected by two aircraft lifts, both capable of lifting 13 tonnes. The {{convert|225|m2|sqft|adj=on}} main lift is located near the aft of the ship, on the centreline, and is large enough for helicopters to be moved with their rotors in flight configuration. The {{convert|120|m2|sqft}} auxiliary lift is located aft of the island superstructure. Every helicopter operated by the French military is capable of flying from these ships. On 8 February 2005, a [[Westland Lynx]] of the Navy and a [[Eurocopter AS 532|Cougar]] landed at the aft of ''Mistral'' The first landing of a [[NHI NH90|NH90]] took place on 9 March 2006. Half of the air group of the BPCs is to be constituted of NH90s, the other half being composed of [[Eurocopter Tiger|Tigre]] assault helicopters. On 19 April 2007, [[Aérospatiale Puma|Puma]], [[Eurocopter Ecureuil|Écureuil]] and [[Eurocopter Panther|Panther]] helicopters landed on ''Tonnerre''. On 10 May 2007, a [[CH-53E Sea Stallion|MH-53E Sea Dragon]] of the US Navy landed on her reinforced helicopter spot off Norfolk. According to ''Mistral''’s first commanding officer, ''Capitaine de vaisseau'' Gilles Humeau, the size of the flight and hangar decks would allow the operation of up to thirty helicopters.<ref name="Sartini">Véronique Sartini, "Entretien avec le capitaine de vaisseau Gilles Humeau", in ''Défense & Sécurité Internationale'' (ISSN 1772-788X), no 19 (October 2006) </ref> ''Mistral'' aviation capabilities are comparable to those of the [[Wasp class amphibious assault ship|''Wasp'' class amphibious assault ship]], for a sixth the cost and crew requirements of the American ship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20120205/DEFFEAT05/302050004/Our-View-Mistral-Amphib-Goldmine-Good-Ideas?odyssey=nav|head|title="The Mistral Amphib is a Goldmine of Good Ideas."|work=Defense News|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> ===Amphibious transport=== [[File:M1A1 Abrams embarks FS Tonnerre.JPG|thumb|A U.S. Marine Corps [[M1A1 Abrams]] tank embarks aboard the ''Tonnerre'' off the coast of North Carolina for Composite Training Unit Exercise (7 February 2009).]] ''Mistral''-class ships can accommodate up to 450 soldiers, although this can be doubled for short-term deployments. The {{convert|2650|m2|sqft|adj=on}} vehicle hangar can carry a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion, or a 13-strong Leclerc tank company and 46 other vehicles. By comparison, [[Foudre class landing platform dock|''Foudre''-class]] ships can carry up to 100 vehicles, including 22 [[AMX-30]] tanks in the significantly smaller {{convert|1000|m2|sqft|adj=on}} deck. The {{convert|885|m2|sqft|adj=on}} [[well deck]] can accommodate four landing craft. The ships are capable of operating two [[Landing Craft Air Cushion|LCAC]] hovercraft, and although the French Navy appears to have no intention of purchasing any LCACs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=104723|title=Essais d'enradiage de LCAC réussis pour le BPC Tonnerre|work=Mer et Marine|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> this capability improves the class' ability to interoperate with the [[United States Marine Corps]] and the [[British Royal Navy]]. Instead the [[Délégation générale pour l'Armement|DGA]] ordered eight French-designed 59-tonne [[Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide|EDA-R]] [[catamaran]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/votre_espace/communiques_de_presse/2009/la_dga_notifie_l_acquisition_d_engins_de_debarquement_amphibie_rapides |title=La DGA notifie l’acquisition d’engins de débarquement amphibie rapides |author=Bruno Daffix |date=15 June 2009 |work= |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (France)]] |accessdate=8 February 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> <gallery> File:Mistral-photo21.jpg|Two landing craft in the well deck of the ''Mistral'' File:Tonnerre mg 5859.jpg|Aft of ''Tonnerre'', with the well deck door and elevator File:L-CAT.svg|[[Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide|EDA-R]] [[catamaran]] </gallery> ===Command and communications=== [[File:Mistral-photog06.jpg|thumb|The island superstructure, as seen from the flight deck]] ''Mistral''-class ships can be used as command and control ships, with a {{convert|850|m2|sqft|adj=on}} command centre which can host up to 150 personnel. Information from the ship's sensors is centralised in the SENIT system (''Système d’Exploitation Navale des Informations Tactiques'', "System for Naval Usage of Tactical Information"),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netmarine.net/armes/senit/index.htm|title=Présentation du SENIT|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> a derivative of the US Navy's [[Naval Tactical Data System]] (NTDS). Delays in the development of the SENIT 9 revision contributed to the one-year delay in the delivery of the two ships. SENIT 9 is based around [[Thales]]' tri-dimensional MRR3D-NG Multi Role Radar, which operations on the [[C band]] and incorporates [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] capabilities. SENIT 9 can also be connected to NATO data exchange formats through [[Link 11]], [[Link 16]] and [[Link 22]]. For communications, the ''Mistral''-class ships use the SYRACUSE satellite system, based on French satellites SYRACUSE 3-A and SYRACUSE 3-B which provide 45% of the [[Super High Frequency]] secured communications of NATO. From 18 to 24 June 2007, a secure video conference was held twice a day between ''Tonnerre'', then sailing from Brazil to South Africa, and VIP visitors of the [[Paris Air Show]].<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/base/breves/03_07_07_des_nouvelles_du_tonnerre Brève du ministère de la Défense français du 3 juillet 2007]</ref> ===Armament=== [[File:Mistral forwards 40mm turret.svg|thumb|Emplacement of the bow [[30 mm Breda-Mauser]], not presently installed. Another turret is planned aft.]] As of 2008, the two ''Mistral''-class ships were armed with two Simbad launchers for [[Mistral missile]]s and four [[M2 Browning machine gun|12.7&nbsp;mm M2-HB Browning machine guns]].<ref name=Janes08>{{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2008-2009 |editor=Saunders, Stephen |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Coulsdon |year=2008 |edition=111th |series=Jane's Fighting Ships |page=255 |isbn=978-0-7106-2845-9 |oclc=225431774}}</ref> Two Breda-Mauser 30&nbsp;mm/70 guns are also included in the design, though not installed as of 2009. Incidents such as the near-loss of the Israeli corvette [[INS Hanit|INS ''Hanit'']] to a [[Hezbollah]]-fired anti-ship missile during the [[2006 Lebanon War]] have shown the vulnerability of modern warships to [[Asymmetric warfare|asymmetric threats]], with the ''Mistral''-class ships considered under-equipped for self-defence in such a situation.<ref name="Sartini"/> Consequently, ''Mistral'' and ''Tonnerre'' cannot be deployed into hostile waters without sufficient escorting ships. This problem is compounded by the small number of escort ships in the French Navy; there is a five-year gap between the decommissioning of the [[Suffren class frigate|''Suffren''-class frigates]] and the commissioning of their replacements, the [[Horizon class frigate|''Horizon'']] and [[FREMM]] frigates. Following the experiences of French naval commanders during ''[[Opération Baliste]]'', the French deployment to aid European citizens in Lebanon during the 2006 war, proposals to improve the self-defence capabilities of the two ''Mistral''-class ships were supported by one of the French chiefs of staff, and are under active consideration as of 2008.<ref name=Janes08/><ref>[[Xavier Magne]], "L’opération Baliste", in ''Défense & Sécurité Internationale'' {{ISSN|1772-788X}}, hors-série no 2 (September–October 2007)</ref> One suggestion is to upgrade the dual-launching, manual Simbad launchers to quadruple-launching, automatic Tetral launchers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=105173|title=meretmarine.com|work=Mer et Marine|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> <gallery> File:Mistral mg 5714.jpg|One of the two SIMBAD launchers of ''Mistral'' File:Simbad missile.jpg|An uncovered SIMBAD launcher File:Mistral mg 5402.jpg|Machine gun on ''Mistral'' </gallery> ===Hospital=== Each ship carries a NATO Role 3 medical facility,<ref name="newconcept" /><ref name="Mackenzie" /> ''i.e.,'' equivalent to the field hospital of an Army division or army corps, or to the hospital of a 25,000-inhabitant city, complete with dentistry, diagnostics, specialist surgical and medical capabilities, food hygiene and psychological capabilities.<ref>Definition of the roles: [http://www.nato.int/docu/logi-en/1997/lo-1610.htm NATO Logistics Handbook], paragraph 1613.</ref> A [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]]-based telemedicine system allows performing complex specialised surgery.<ref>[http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=104961 Démonstration des moyens satellites du BPC ''Tonnerre'' au salon du Bourget], Mer et Marine{{dead link|date=August 2014}}</ref> The 900 m² hospital<ref>[http://jdb.marine.defense.gouv.fr/post/2009/10/26/LE-SERVICE-DE-RECRUTEMENT-DE-LA-MARINE-EN-SEMINAIRE-A-BORD-DU-MISTRAL LE SERVICE DE RECRUTEMENT DE LA MARINE EN SEMINAIRE A BORD DU MISTRAL], ministry of Defence</ref> provides 20 rooms and 69 hospitalisation beds, of which 7 are fit for intensive care.<ref>[http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/decouverte/materiels/batiments_de_combat/bpc_type_mistral/le_batiment_de_projection_et_de_commandement__mistral. Le Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement Mistral.], Ministry of Defence</ref> The two surgery blocks come complete with a radiology room<ref>[http://www.bea-fr.org/fr/enquetes/vol.af.447/mistral.fr.pdf Mistral], Ministry of Defence</ref> providing digital [[radiography]] and [[ultrasonography]], and that can be fitted with a mobile [[CT scanner]].<ref name="newconcept">{{cite web|url=http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public/PubFullText/RTO/MP/RTO-MP-109/MP-109-18.pdf|title=Mistral: a new concept of medical platform|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> 50 medicalised beds are kept in reserve and can be installed in a helicopter hangar to extend the capacity of the hospital in case of emergency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://servir-et-defendre.com/viewtopic.php?f=316&t=1454&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=d71f1014edbdf9f5e130ee8d60592906|title=BPC : Bâtiments de Projection et de Commandement|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> ===Propulsion=== [[File:Mistral-photo16.jpg|thumb|Two of the Wärtsilä 16 V32 diesel alternators]] ''Mistral'' and ''Tonnerre'' are the first ships of the French Navy to use [[azimuth thruster]]s. The thrusters are powered by electricity from five V32 diesel alternators, and can be oriented in any angle. This propulsion technology gives the ships significant manoeuvering capabilities, as well as freeing up space normally reserved for machinery and propellor shafts. The long-term reliability of azimuth thrusters in military use is yet to be rigorously studied, but the technology has been empoloyed aboard ships in several navies, including the Dutch [[Rotterdam class amphibious transport dock|''Rotterdam'' class]], the Spanish [[Galicia class landing platform dock|''Galicia'' class]], and the Canadian [[Kingston class coastal defence vessel|''Kingston'' class]]. ===Accommodations=== The space gained by the use of the azimuth thrusters allowed for the construction of accommodation areas where no pipes or machinery are visible. Located in the forward section of the ship, crew cabins aboard ''Mistral''-class ships are comparable in comfort levels to passenger cabins aboard Chantiers de l'Atlantique-constructed cruise ships. The fifteen officers each have an individual cabin. Senior non-commissioned officers share two-man cabins, while junior crew and embarked troops use four- or six-person cabins. Conditions in these accommodation areas are said to be better than in most barracks of the [[French Foreign Legion]], and when United States Navy vice-admiral [[Mark P. Fitzgerald|Mark Fitzgerald]] inspected one of the ''Mistral''-class ships in May 2007, it was claimed that he would have used the same accommodation area to host a crew three times the size of ''Mistral''’s complement.<ref name="Mackenzie">{{cite web|url=http://aviationweek.typepad.com/ares/2007/05/aboard_the_mist.html|title=Aboard the ''Mistral''|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> ==Operational history== The BPCs are certified as members of the naval component of the [[NATO Response Force]], which allows them to take part in a Combined Joint Task Force. France provided forces to NRF-8 in January 2007, including a Commander Amphibious Task Force and 8 ships. The next contribution took place in January 2008 in NRF-10, after exercises ''Noble Midas'' which tested [[link 16]] and the SECSAT system which operationally controls submarines. The forces can be set up in a 5 to 30 days notice. ''Mistral'' made her maiden voyage from 21 March to 31 May 2006, cruising in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. Following the start of the [[2006 Lebanon War]], ''Mistral'' was one of four French ships deployed to the waters off Lebanon as part of ''[[Opération Baliste]]''. These ships were to protect, and if necessary evacuate, French citizens in Lebanon and Israel. ''Mistral'' embarked 650 soldiers and 85 vehicles, including 5 [[AMX-10 RC]] and about 20 [[véhicule de l'avant blindé|VABs]] and [[véhicule blindé léger|VBL]]s. Four helicopters were also loaded aboard, with another two joining the ship near Crete. During her deployment, ''Mistral'' evacuated 1,375 refugees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seaandnavy.com/article.cfm?id=102576 |title=French Navy validates the BPC concept in Lebanon |author=Vincent Groizeleau |date= |work= |publisher=Sea And Navy |accessdate=25 February 2010}}</ref> ''Tonnerre''’s maiden voyage occurred between 10 April and 24 July 2007. During this voyage, ''Tonnerre'' was involved in ''[[Opération Licorne]]'', the French co-deploying complement to the [[United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire]] following the [[First Ivorian Civil War|Ivorian Civil War]]. Gazelle and Cougar helicopters of the French Air Force operated from the ship during 9 July. At the start of 2008, ''Tonnerre'' was involved in the Corymbe 92 mission (see [[Standing French Navy Deployments]]), a humanitarian mission in the [[Gulf of Guinea]]. During this deployment, ''Tonnerre'' acted on tip-offs from the European Maritime Analysis Operation Centre&nbsp;– Narcotics, and intercepted 5.7 tonnes of [[Cocaine#Illicit trade|smuggled cocaine]]: 2.5 tonnes from a fishing vessel {{convert|520|km|nmi}} from [[Monrovia]] on 29 January, and 3.2 tonnes from a cargo ship {{convert|300|km|nmi}} off [[Conakry]]. In May 2008, [[Cyclone Nargis]] struck Burma; the worst natural disaster to hit the region. ''Mistral'', which was operating in the East Asia area at the time, loaded humanitarian aid supplies, and sailed to Burma. The ship was refused entry to the nation's ports;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files_156/burma_483/france-and-burma_6315/humanitarian-actions_6407/tropical-cyclone-nargis-29.05.08_11207.html?var_recherche=Cyclone+Nargis |title=Tropical Cyclone Nargis : French humanitarian aid (May 29, 2008) |author= |date=29 May 2008 |work= |publisher=[[Minister of Foreign Affairs (France)]] |accessdate=5 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense.gouv.fr/defense_uk/layout/set/print/content/view/full/128579 |title=Myanmar: the Mistral unloads its freight in Thailand |author= |date=27 May 2008 |work= |publisher=[[Minister of Defence (France)]] |accessdate=5 February 2010}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> the 1,000 tons of humanitarian supplies had to be unloaded in Thailand and handed over to the [[World Food Program]]. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé announced on 23 May 2011 that the [[French ship Tonnerre (L9014)|French ship ''Tonnerre'']] amphibious assault helicopter carrier with attack helicopters aboard would be deployed to the Libyan coast to enforce [[UN resolution 1973]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/23/apache-helicopters-libya-britain | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Richard | last=Norton-Taylor | title=Apache helicopters to be sent into Libya by Britain | date=23 May 2011}}</ref> ==Future developments== ===Export=== Since 1997, and particularly since the Euronaval 2007, the ''Mistral'' type has been promoted for export. The "BPC family" comprises the BPC 140 (13,500 tonnes), the BPC 160 (16,700 tonnes) and the BPC 250 (24,542 tonnes, {{convert|214.5|m|ft}} long). The BPC 250 was the design from which the final ''Mistral''-class design was derived: the reduction in length and other modifications were a price-saving exercise.<ref name=Borgu>{{cite journal |last=Borgu |first=Aldo |date=23 July 2004 |title=Capability of First Resort?: Australia's future amphibious requirement |journal=Strategic Insights |publisher=Australian Strategic Policy Institute |volume=8 |issn=1449-3993 |url=http://www.aspi.org.au/publications/publication_details.aspx?ContentID=55 |accessdate=23 November 2008}}</ref> The BPC 250 concept was one of two designs selected for the [[Canberra class Landing Helicopter Dock|''Canberra''-class amphibious warfare ship]]s, to be constructed for the [[Royal Australian Navy]].<ref name=Borgu/> The design finally chosen was the Spanish [[Buque de Proyección Estratégica class amphibious ship|''Buque de Proyección Estratégica''-class amphibious ship]].<ref name=Borgu/> According to French daily La Tribune, the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] shows "strong interest" in buying two ''Mistral'' ships.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://fr.reuters.com/article/frEuroRpt/idFRLDE70602X20110107 |title=Le Canada s'intéresse aux Mistral de DCNS |author= |date=7 December 2010 |work= |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=8 December 2010}}</ref> The [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] and the [[South African Navy]] might show an interest in the ships.{{Citation needed|date=September 2009}} As of late 2011 the [[Polish Navy]] has been working closely with the Polish Ministry of Defense to purchase one ''Mistral'' ship. The [[Indian Navy]] has also expressed interest in the design of the ''Mistral'' type as a [[Indian Navy Multi-Role Support Vessel programme|Multi-Role Support Vessel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/world/20100218/157926635.html |title=France expects Russian decision soon on buying Mistral warship |author= |date=18 February 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=18 February 2010}}</ref> [[Brazilian Navy|Brazil]] and [[Turkish Navy|Turkey]] could in time consider purchasing BPCs.<ref>Joseph Henrotin, « Les outsiders de la puissance aéronavale : une prospective à 10 ans », in ''Défense & Sécurité Internationale'' {{ISSN|1772-788X}}, no 17 (July 2006)</ref> [[Algerian Navy|Algeria]] is also considering the purchase of two BPCs.<ref>Jean Guisnel, "[http://www.lepoint.fr/actualites-monde/premiers-details-sur-la-vente-de-quatre-fremm-a-l-algerie/1648/0/244061 Premiers détails sur la vente de quatre FREMM à l'Algérie]", in ''Le Point'' (7 May 2008)</ref><ref>[http://www.ambafrance-dz.org/article.php3?id_article=2056 Communiqué de presse de l'ambassade de France en Algérie]</ref> ====Russian purchase==== On 24 December 2010, after eight months of talks, Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] approved the purchase by [[Rosoboronexport]] of two ships of the ''Mistral'' class (and an option for two more) from France for €1.37 billion (€720 million for the 1st ship; €650 million for the second).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lignesdedefense.blogs.ouest-france.fr/archive/2010/12/29/le-dixmude-a-quitte-la-cale-profonde-pour-le-bassin-c.html |title=Saint-Nazaire: le Dixmude a quitté la cale profonde pour le bassin C |author=Philippe Chapleau |date=30 December 2010 |work= |publisher=[[Ouest-France]] |accessdate=30 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="RIAN 4">{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20101224/161921890.html |title=France wins tender to build warships for Russia (Update 1) |author= |date=24 December 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=24 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="DPA">{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1585976.php/Russia-to-purchase-four-French-warships |title=Russia to purchase four French warships |author= |date=21 September 2010 |work= |publisher=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]] |accessdate=21 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="RIAN 2">{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100421/158681963.html |title=Russia to buy French warship by yearend - federal agency |author= |date=21 April 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=21 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="RIAN">{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100301/158057156.html |title=Russia, France open 'exclusive talks' on sale of four'' Mistral ''warships |author= |date=1 March 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=2 March 2010}}</ref> The first ''Mistral''-class ship is expected to be delivered in late 2014 or early 2015; Russia made an advance payment in January or February 2011 pursuant to the January 25, 2011 memorandum of understanding between the two parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101225/161928326.html |title=Russia opts for French ''Mistral''-class warships for its Navy (WRAPUP) &#124; Defense &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date=25 December 2010 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> The final agreement between Russia and France has been signed on 25 January 2011.<ref name="en.rian.ru"/> In August 2009 [[Army general (Russia)|General]] [[Nikolay Yegorovich Makarov|Nikolai Makarov]], [[Chief of the General Staff (Russia)|Chief]] of the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation|Russian General Staff]], had suggested Russia planned to purchase one ship with the intention of later constructing three further ships in Russia. In February 2010 he said that construction of the ships would start sometime after 2015 and would be a joint effort with the French.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fr.rian.ru/defense/20100217/186073776.html |title=La construction en Russie de navires de type Mistral possible d'ici 5-10 ans (Etat-major) |author= |date=17 February 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=17 February 2010}}</ref> French President Nicolas Sarkozy favoured the building of the first two ships in France and only the second two in Russia.<ref name="RIAN"/> According to Moscow-based [[Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies]] the first ship will be entirely built and assembled in France from 2013,<ref name="RIAN 3">{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101029/161131407.html|title=France ready to build first Mistral warship for Russia in 2013|author= |date=29 October 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=17 February 2010}}</ref> the second in France, assembled by jumboisation in Russia and delivered in 2015.<ref name="RIAN 3"/> Two more will be built in Russia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-11/russia-12-billion-arms-spree-may-benefit-dcns-iveco-update1-.html |title=Russia $12 Billion Arms Spree May Benefit DCNS, Iveco |author=Ilya Arkhipov |date=11 June 2010 |work= |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |accessdate=11 June 2010}}</ref> by a DCNS/Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation joint-venture.<ref name="RIAN 4">{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101101/161170512.html|title=Russian, French shipbuilders form consortium |author= |date=1 November 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=1 November 2010}}</ref> On 1 November 2010 Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) and France's shipbuilders DCNS and STX France signed an agreement to form a [[consortium]]. The agreement includes a transfer of technologies and is a move that may bring a pending helicopter carrier deal closer to completion, the USC president said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20101101/161170512.html |title=Russian, French shipbuilders form consortium &#124; Defense &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date= |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> On 15 November the Russian defense ministry announced that the tender was closed and the winner would be named by the end of the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rusnavy.com/news/navy/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=10811 |title=Defense ministry to name winner of Navy's tender till Nov is over |publisher=Rusnavy.com |date=16 November 2010 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> This announcement had still not been made by 24 December but [[Kommersant]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100819/160257224.html |title=Russia to hold tender for purchase of helicopter carrier - paper &#124; Defense &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date=19 August 2010 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> and Defense Industry Daily<ref name="defenseindustrydaily.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Russia-to-Order-French-Mistral-LHDs-05749/ |accessdate=24 August 2010 |title=Russia Wants Western Amphibious Assault Ships }}</ref> suggested that [[Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering|Daewoo Marine Shipbuilding & Engineering]], [[Navantia]], [[Damen Group|Damen Schelde]], or [[ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems]] could be among the bidders. In the [[United States]], six Republican senators, including [[John McCain]], complained in a letter to the French ambassador in Washington about the proposed sale<ref>{{cite news |title=Critics say proposed sale of French ''Mistral'' ship to Russia will harm region |author=Edward Cody |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2 February 2010 |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203508.html}}</ref> while Congresswoman [[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]], the top Republican on the [[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs]], introduced a resolution that would express the sense of [[United States Congress|Congress]] that “France and other member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union should decline to sell major weapons systems or offensive military equipment to the Russian Federation.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc111/hr982_ih.xml |title=Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that France and other member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union should decline to sell major weapons systems or offensive military equipment to the Russian Federation |author=[[Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]] |date=16 December 2009 |work= |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |accessdate=5 February 2010}}</ref> Although Defense Secretary [[Robert Gates]] told French officials during his visit to Paris on 8 February 2010, that U.S. was “concerned” about the sale, U.S. officials accompanying him said there is little if anything the United States could do to block the deal,<ref>{{cite news |title=Gates Voices Concern About Warship Sale to Russia |author=Tom Shanker |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=8 February 2010 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/world/europe/09gates.html}}</ref> adding that “a sale of the ''Mistral'' to the Russian Navy did not pose a major problem.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4490124&c=EUR&s=SEA |title=France, U.S. Discuss Russian Mistral Carrier Query |author=Pierre Tran |date=8 February 2010 |work= |publisher=defensenews.com |accessdate=8 February 2010}}</ref> The same day, the deal was granted by France's DGA. It is the first major arms deal between [[Russian federation#Russian Federation|Russian Federation]] and the [[NATO#Participating countries|NATO countries]] if the [[Soviet Union]]'s acquisition of [[Rolls-Royce Nene]] and [[Rolls-Royce Derwent]] turbojet engines in 1947 is not included.<ref>{{cite news |title=As Its Arms Makers Falter, Russia Buys Abroad |first=Andrew |last= Kramer |authorlink= |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/business/global/13ruble.html?hpw |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |date= 12 March 2010|page= |accessdate=12 May 2010|archiveurl= |archivedate= |ref= }}</ref> Some design changes must be implemented, like making a Russian version of ''Mistral'' compatible with Russian [[Ka-52]] and [[Ka-27]] helicopters. Nikolai Makarov announced that the first ship of the tender will be deployed to the Russian Pacific Fleet, and it can be used "in case of necessity" to transport troops to the [[Kuril Islands]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/article/252510/francuzy_pridut_morem |publisher=Vedomosti |language=Russian |date=27 December 2010 |accessdate=27 December 2010|title=Французы придут морем |trans_title=French will come by sea}}</ref> NATO members [[Lithuania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Estonia]] from the Baltic region have protested against the purchase. Lithuania's Defence Minister [[Rasa Jukneviciene]] told reporters that "[i]t's a mistake. This is a precedent, when a NATO and EU member sells offensive weaponry to a country whose democracy is not at a level that would make us feel calm."<ref>{{cite web|last=France |first=Agence |url=http://www.defencetalk.com/baltic-states-fault-frances-warship-deal-with-russia-30858/ |title=Baltic states fault France’s warship deal with Russia &#124; Navy News at DefenseTalk |publisher=Defencetalk.com |date= |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> According to Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov, the chief reason for purchasing the French design, rather than relying upon domestic producers, is that Russia would need another 10 years to develop the technologies required - an unacceptable delay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110210/162543317.html |title=Russian military justifies purchase of Mistral ships &#124; Defense &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date= |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> In March 2011 the deal stalled on Russian demands for sensitive NATO technologies to be included with the ships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2011/russia-110506-rianovosti02.htm|title="Mistral talks stumble over sensitive technology."|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> Later the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev fired the senior Navy official who was in charge of talks with France over the purchase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110419/163596579.html |title=Medvedev sacks Navy admiral responsible for Mistral talks &#124; Defense &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date=19 April 2011 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> On 26 May 2011 it was reported that the two nations had reached a final agreement and that it should be signed by mid June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110526/164246469.html |title=Russia, France agree to sign Mistral contract in 15 days &#124; Defense &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date=26 May 2011 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> On 17 June 2011, the two nations signed an agreement for two ships for $1.7 billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2011/russia-110617-rianovosti01.htm|title="Russia signs $1.7 bln deal for 2 French warships."|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> In 2013, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin stated that the ships would not be able to operate in Russia's climate<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2013/russia-130126-rianovosti01.htm|title="French Warship for Russia 'Won't Work in Cold' - Minister."|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> and that the ships require a grade of diesel fuel not produced in Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2013/russia-130205-rianovosti04.htm|title="No Fuel in Russia For French-Built Warship - Deputy PM."|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> In 2014, an immediate arms embargo against Russia due to the [[2014 Crimean crisis|actions of the Russian army in the Crimea]] was stopped due to the French desire for the Mistral sale to Russia to continue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/charlemagne/2014/03/europe-and-russia|title=Europe and Russia|date=3 March 2014|work=The Economist|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> French foreign minister [[Laurent Fabius]] was considering cancelling the Russian deal for two ''Mistral''-class ships in response to the [[Crimean referendum, 2014|Crimean referendum]]. This came as the United States and European Union imposed sanctions on Russian officials associated with the referendum. They are considered "phase two" economic sanctions, while cancelling the Mistral contract would be "phase three." Fabius acknowledged that the loss of the contracts would be damaging to the French economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140318/188536562/France-May-Scrap-Russian-Warship-Deal-over-Ukraine-Crisis.html|title=France May Scrap Russian Warship Deal over Ukraine Crisis|work=RIA Novosti|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> However, the two ships could still be sold to Russia as "civilian hulls" which Russia would only arm as warships after receiving them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140319/DEFREG01/303190028/French-DM-Cancellation-Carrier-Sale-Russia-an-Extreme-Measure-|title=French DM: Cancellation of Carrier Sale to Russia an 'Extreme Measure'|work=Defense News|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> In May 2014, Paris issued a formal guarantee to Moscow that the two ships would be built for them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dmilt.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9941:russia-france-guarantees-mistral-deal&catid=1:europe&Itemid=57|title=Russia; France guarantees Mistral deal|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> However, on 3 September 2014, French President announced that due to Russia's "[[2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine|recent actions in Ukraine]]", the two ships would not be delivered.<ref name="BBC1" /> This is part of a larger package of sanctions imposed upon Russia by the EU. ====Production for Russia==== The first ship of the ''Mistral'' class will be built within 36 months after the first advance payment. A second ship will be built within 48 months. At the initial stage, the consortium provides for the joint construction of two ships of this type with the subsequent production of two more. Russia will fulfill 20% of the required work during construction of the first ''Mistral''-class ship in the [[STX Europe]] shipyards in [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique|Saint-Nazaire]], France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsland.ru/news/detail/id/605684/cat/42/ |title=Первый "Мистраль" для России построят к началу 2014|trans_title=The first "Mistral" for Russia to build by early 2014|publisher=Newsland |date=2010-12-24 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> The third and fourth ships will be constructed in [[St. Petersburg]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2014-news/july-2014-navy-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-security-global-news/1881-russian-shipbuilders-capable-of-servicing-mistral-class-lhds-according-to-defense-ministry.html |title=Russian shipbuilders Capable of Servicing Mistral-class LHDs according to Defense Ministry |date=July 7, 2014}}</ref> Russia plans to build new shipyards on [[Kotlin Island]] near St. Petersburg. These will be used to construct ''Mistral''-class ships and other large civil and military vessels in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20110112/162110808.html |title=Russia to build new shipyards for Mistral construction &#124; Defense |publisher=RIA Novosti |date=2011-01-12 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> The first ship was laid down on 1 February 2012 and will have the name ''Vladivostok''. The ship will join the Russian Navy within 36 months.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120201/171073369.html|title=Russian Navy to Receive Mistral Warship in 3 Years|work=RIA Novosti|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> The second ship has been named as ''Sevastopol''. In April 2013, Russia announced that its ''Mistral''-class ships will be based in the Far East ports at [[Vladivostok]] and [[Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky]]. The ports were chosen because of their existing transport infrastructure. In the future, Russia will create conditions for a short-term base equipped for storage replenishing, loading and unloading troops, and crew rest in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Other possible bases are still being considered. It was also noted that it was more convenient to base the ships near major cities to provide housing for the crew and their families.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/news/russia/2013/russia-130416-rianovosti03.htm|title=Russia to Base French-Made Assault Ships in Far East Ports|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> On 3 September 2014 France has stated that the conditions were "not right" for the delivery, and has halted the delivery of the first ship until further notice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29052599 |title= Ukraine crisis: France halts warship delivery to Russia |publisher=[[BBC News Online]] |date=3 September 2014<!--, 17:31 GMT--> |accessdate=3 September 2014}}</ref> However Russian sailors are still being trained in the Vladivostok in Saint-Nazaire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/749469|title=ITAR-TASS: Russia - Russian sailors go on first training voyage aboard Mistral ship in France|work=ITAR-TASS|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> On 13 September 2014, the [[Russian ship Vladivostok (2013)|''Vladivostok'']] left the [[STX Europe]] shipyards in [[Chantiers de l'Atlantique|Saint-Nazaire]], accompanied by two tugboats, with 200 russian sailors on board for sea trials. After successful completion of the trials, the [[Russian ship Vladivostok (2013)|''Vladivostok'']] shall continue its sail to [[St. Petersburg]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clicanoo.re/437941-mistral-sortie-en-mer-du-vladivostok-a-saint-nazaire-des-marins-russes-a-bord.html|title=Mistral |work=Clicanoo, le Journal de l'île de La Réunion|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> ===Mistral 140=== DCNS unveiled a model of a smaller version of the standard ''Mistral BPC 210'' ship called the ''Mistral 140'' in September 2014 at the [[African Aerospace and Defence 2014]] exhibition in [[Pretoria]], South Africa. Compared to the full-sized ship's 21,500 tons displacement and{{convert|199|m|ft|abbr=on}} length with six helicopter landing spots, the 140 has a displacement of 14,000 tons and is {{convert|170|m|ft|abbr=on}} long with five helicopter landing spots. It is {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}} wide and has a range of {{convert|6,000|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} at 15 knots. Naval guns are positioned on the left stern and at the right side of the bow with heavy machine gun posts on both sides. There is a [[well dock]] in the stern for landing craft and two alcoves on each side to launch [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s. A crane is positioned amidships behind the superstructure. The hangar deck has space for ten helicopters, and it has a 400&nbsp;m² joint operations centre for a command staff. It can accommodate about 500 troops as well as over 30 vehicles and a 30-bed hospital. Propulsion is provided by two [[azimuth thruster|azimuth pods]] and a bow thruster, it is likely to have an all-electric propulsion system like the BPC 210. DCNS is advertising the ''Mistral 140'' as "a political tool for civilian and military action" for countries that cannot afford the standard ''Mistral'' vessels. Roles listed include humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, crisis management, force protection, joint headquarters command, medical and logistics support and transport of military forces. The company is pitching the ship to countries less likely to engage in combat operations and need something more like a multi-role support or logistics ship, particularly the [[South African Navy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/aad2014-dcns-markets-mistral-140-africa/|title=AAD2014: DCNS markets the Mistral 140 in Africa - News - Shephard|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> ==Ships== {|class=wikitable |- ! style="background:#ddd;"| Pennant no. || style="background:#ddd;"| Name || style="background:#ddd;"| Laid down || style="background:#ddd;"| Launched || style="background:#ddd;"| Commissioned || style="background:#ddd;"| Homeport |- | colspan="6" style="background:#eee;"| '''French Navy''' |- | L9013 || [[Mistral (L9013)|''Mistral'']] || 10 July 2003 || 6 October 2004 || February 2006 || Toulon |- | L9014 || [[Tonnerre (L9014)|''Tonnerre'']] || 26 August 2003 || 26 July 2005 || December 2006 || Toulon |- | L9015 || [[Dixmude (L9015)|''Dixmude'']] || 18 April 2009 || 17 September 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=114931 |title=Saint-Nazaire : Le BPC ''Dixmude'' transféré au bassin C |author= |date=20 December 2010 |work= |publisher=Mer et Marine |accessdate=26 December 2010}}</ref> || 27 December 2012<ref name="Netmarine">{{cite web |url=http://www.netmarine.net/bat/tcd/dixmude/histoire01.htm |title=Histoire du BPC Dixmude (2008 - ...) |author=Jean-Michel Roche |year=2012 |work= |publisher= |accessdate=29 August 2012}}</ref> || Toulon |- | colspan="6" style="background:#eee;"| '''Russian Navy''' |- | 501 || [[Russian ship Vladivostok (Mistral class)|''Vladivostok'']] || 1 February 2013<ref name="ReferenceA"/> || 15 October 2013 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131015/184162663/France-Floats-Out-First-Russian-Mistral-Warship.html|title=France Floats Out First Russian Mistral Warship|work=RIA Novosti|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1304 |title=DCNS launch Vladivostok, Russian Navy's first Mistral class LHD(Navy recognition) |date=October 16, 2013}}</ref>|| Ongoing sea trials <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clicanoo.re/437941-mistral-sortie-en-mer-du-vladivostok-a-saint-nazaire-des-marins-russes-a-bord.html|title=Mistral |work=Clicanoo, le Journal de l'île de La Réunion|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> || Vladivostok<ref name="arms-expo.ru">{{cite web|url=http://www.arms-expo.ru/site.xp/049057054048124050049049049052.html |title=Тихоокеанский флот получит ДВКД "Мистраль" — ОРУЖИЕ РОССИИ, Информационное агентство |publisher=Arms-expo.ru |date=26 December 2011 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> (planned)<ref name="RIAN 5">{{cite web |url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20101224/161921890.html |title=Russia opts for French Mistral-class warships for its Navy |author= |date=25 December 2010 |work= |publisher=[[RIA Novosti]] |accessdate=25 December 2010}}</ref> |- | - || [[Russian ship Sevastopol (Mistral class)|''Sevastopol'']] ||18 June 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20130618/944048769.html|title=Франция закладывает второй корабль типа "Мистраль" для России|work=РИА Новости|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> || ''October 2014''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flotprom.ru/news/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=147177|title=�торой вертолетоносец типа "Мистраль" для России будет спущен на воду в октябре 2014 года|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> || Planned<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110617/164684636.html |title=Russia signs $1.7 bln deal for 2 French warships &#124; Russia &#124; RIA Novosti |publisher=En.rian.ru |date=17 June 2011 |accessdate=30 December 2011}}</ref> || Novorossiysk<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crimea.vgorode.ua/news/173636|title=Вертолетоносец "Севастополь" станет флагманом российского флота|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref>(planned)<ref name="RIAN 5"/> |} ==Notes and references== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Commons category|Mistral class LHD}} * [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/mistral/ Mistral class at Naval-Technology.com] * [http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531 Mistral class (Navy recognition)] * French Marine Nationale - [http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/decouverte/equipements/renouvellement_des_moyens/le_bpc_un_navire_nouvelle_generation Le BPC, un navire nouvelle génération] * [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/mistral.htm globalsecurity.org] * [http://www.dcn.fr/us/offre/batiments_surface/mistral.html DCN.fr] * [http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=102331 Meretmarine.com] * http://www.dcnsgroup.com/cen/mistral.html {{Mistral class amphibious assault ship}} {{French Navy Vehicle}} {{ColdwarSovietShips}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Mistral Class Amphibious Assault Ship}} [[Category:Mistral-class amphibious assault ships| ]] [[Category:Active amphibious warfare vessels of France| ]] [[Category:Amphibious warfare vessel classes]] [[Category:Helicopter carrier classes]]'