First Russian Mistral-class helicopter carrier launched in French town of Saint-Nazaire

The ceremony of launching of Russia's first helicopter carrier of the Mistral-class has taken place in the French town of Saint-Nazaire, according to the STX France, the company that assembled the ship's hull.

 "The launch ceremony began at 10.45 am local time [12.45 am Moscow time]. It will last until noon," STX France press service said.

 

 Several shipyards built Russia's first Mistral called Vladivostok.

STX France built the ship's hull and Russia's Baltiysky Zavod, which is a part of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), built the ship's stern.

 STX France and Baltiysky Zavod are building parts for the second Mistral-class helicopter carrier called Sevastopol.

Rosoboronexpert and France's DCSN signed a contract for two Mistral ships in June 2011.

 

The USC is subcontractor of STX France. The Mistral-class helicopter carrier is 199 meters long. Its beam is 32 meters and draft is 6.2 meters. The ship's standard displacement is 22,600 tonnes. A Mistral crew has 177 crewmembers. It can carry 481 passengers. The ship will carry Kamov Ka-52L helicopters. It may also be equipped with Russia's Serna and Dyugon landing vessels.

Many military pundits say the Mistrals are more than just helicopter carriers. They are in fact a class of multi-purpose amphibian assault vessels capable of carrying armed vehicles, helicopter groups and a command center. The warship built for Russia, the Vladivostok, will be first sent to the Severnaya shipyard in St. Petersburg where it will be outfitted with additional equipment and weapons. The design of Russia’s Mistral helicopter carriers has also been altered. For instance, they got a stronger hull that will allow the navy ship to perform tasks beyond the Arctic circle. Viktor Baranets, a Russian military expert, shared with the Voice of Russia more details on the new ship.

"French vessels will be redesigned to meet Russian standards. They will be equipped with Russian weapons and carry about 16 heavy or 32 light choppers, as well as some serious anti-aircraft systems. They’ll also be provided with tactical nuclear complexes, such as supersonic cruise missiles Kalibri and some serious radar systems," Mr. Baranets said.

Another thing on the list of readjustments is the ship’s deployment system and infrastructure engineering facilities. The Vladivostok is set to join the Russian Navy in the Pacific by 2014.

Vladivostok helicopter carrier due for maiden voyage next March

Russia’s Mistral-type Vladivostok helicopter carrier will make its maiden voyage in March 2014, Yves Destefanis, a senior executive of the French DCNS naval shipbuilding company, told reporters on Tuesday.

"The maiden voyage is scheduled for March 2014. And in October 2014, the ship will set out for St. Petersburg where the finishing touches will be put," Destefanis said at a ceremony of putting Russia’s first Mistral-type helicopter carrier afloat.

Russia to launch its first Mistral-class helicopter carrier on October 15

The Russian Navy will launch its first Mistral-class helicopter carrier on October 15, that is according to Interfax news agency, citing the French company STX France.

The second Mistral-class ship 'Sevastopol' is scheduled for the delivery in October 2014, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

The Mistral-class multipurpose ships have enough capacity to carry 16 helicopters, up to 40 tanks and some 600 troops. With addition of their operational range of nearly 40,000 km, the new-generation vessels are said to be of a strategic importance for the Russian navy.

The 1.2-billion-euro contract for two Mistral-class ships was signed between Russia and France in 2011. Although the bilateral project has been subject to criticism for being 'political,' rather than beneficial, its proponents argue that as well as strengthening the country’s ties, it would also give Russia access to the latest naval technology.

At least one of the Mistral-class ships is said to be intended for Russia’s Pacific Fleet, which has already prompted concerns in Japan.

Pacific Fleet forming crews of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers
The Pacific Fleet human resources department is recruiting contract servicemen to operate the Vladivostok and Sevastopol Mistral-class helicopter carriers, Pacific Fleet spokesman Capt. 1st Rank Roman Martov said.

"The ships will have crews of over 200 men, and all of them will be officers, warrant officers or contract servicemen. The Pacific Fleet human resources department is recruiting crewmembers. The crews of the helicopter carriers will be formed in November 2013," Martov said.

Apart from the standard fleet recruitment requirements, the recruitment commission will pay attention to the education of candidates.

Warrant officers and contract servicemen need at least to have completed secondary specialized education to qualify.

Psychological tests will also be important.

Qualification rules will be strict for the prospective pilots and technicians, Martov said.

He said that pilots would go on long-distance voyages aboard the helicopter carriers and experience all aspects of the naval service.

After the first helicopter carrier's hull is launched, the crews will be trained in St. Petersburg and accept the ships in France, the fleet spokesman said.

First Mistral class helicopter carrier to be handed over to Russian Navy in 2014 – Russia’s defense industry
The first Mistral class helicopter carrier “Vladivostok” will be handed over to the Russian Navy on November 1 next year, a high official with Russia’s defense industry has said on Friday.

The launch of the ship will take place in Saint-Nazaire, France, on October 15 this year.

“During the year we’re going to finish its equipment and to test it in order to hand it over to the Russian Navy on November 1, 2014,” the official claimed.

After this, the vessel will arrive in St Petersburg where, as planned, it will be armed and the equipment of the ship will be finished at the Severnaya Verf shipyard.

Rosoboroneksport and the French DCNS company signed a $1.2-billion contract for building of the first two helicopter carriers in June 2011.

United Shipbuilding Corporation is involved in a deal as a contractor of a French builder of ships, STX France, situated in Saint-Nazaire. Two other ships of this class are to be built in Russia in accordance with the French technology.