First and second Mistral -class amphibious transport docks built for Russian Navy will be named Sevastopol and Vladivostok , said Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky at the keel-laying ceremony of Project 20385 lead corvette and Project 22350 frigate held on Feb 1 at Severnaya Verf shipyard (St. Petersburg).
According to Vysotsky, each ship will be delivered to Russia in 36 months since the beginning of works.
Keel-laying and steel-cutting ceremonies of the first landing ship took place in France on Feb 1.
Recall that the EUR 1.2-bln contract for two Mistral -class assault landing ships was tied with French company DCNS on June 17 in St. Petersburg in the presence of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev . In accordance with the contract, the French party will transfer shipbuilding technology to Russia as well as tactical data system SENIT-9 mounted on French ships. Later on, that technology will be used in construction of other two Mistral -class ships by Russian shipyards.
Russia will build third and fourth Mistral -class helicopter carriers independently.
Displacement of Mistral -class assault landing ship is 21,000 tons; length overall is 210 meters; speed is over 18 knots; operating range is up to 20,000 miles; crew is 160 men plus 450 marines. Air wing comprises 16 helicopters including six placed on the flight deck. Russian Mistral s will be armed with eight Ka-52K and eight Ka-29 helicopters.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , February 02, 2012