French officials say France agrees to sell Russia an advanced warship, considering 3 more
By APMonday, February 8, 2010
France agrees to sell Russia advanced warship
PARIS — French defense officials say France has agreed to sell Russia an advanced amphibious warship and is considering a Russian request for three more.
Jacques de Lajugie, head of international development at the French arms agency DGA, told a news conference Monday that among the outstanding questions are where the Mistral would be built.
No information about a timetable for the delivery of the one ship that France has so far approved was immediately available.
Possessing a Mistral would significantly increase the Russian military’s capability to mount offensives. The prospect of a French ship being sold to Russia has alarmed some ex-Soviet countries.
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