Russia is going to sign a contract with France for the production of the third and fourth Mistral-class amphibious assault ships before the end of 2011, reported by RIA Novosti with a reference to Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.

        He also said that the two new warships would be built in Russian shipyards. For that production Russia is also buying related technology and employing two crews trained in France.

      "I believe we should complete the negotiating process and have these contracts signed before the end of the year," Serdyukov added.

      Russia has already signed a contract with France for the production of the first and second Mistral-class amphibious assault ships. The deal was signed in June in St. Petersburg and, according to it, Russia would pay $1.7 billion for the ships for the Russian Navy, which includes the transfer of sensitive technologies.

      The helicopter carriers are due to enter service with the Northern and the Pacific fleets in 2014 and 2015.It is planned to use the ships for the support of forces in the Kuril Islands.

      A Mistral-class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel. 

Sources: Lenta.ru RIA Novosti 

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