France will most likely deliver two Mistral warships to Egypt by the first half of next year.
“France is about to finalize all issues related to the deal but he believes that the delivery of the warships will not take place before the end of 2015,”Andre Baran, French ambassador to Egypt was quoted as saying by state news agency Mena Monday.
Egypt signed a contract on two Mistral-class helicopter carriers on October 10. The vessels may be supplied to Egypt in summer, 2016 along with storm boats.
Egypt emerged as France’s replacement customer for Mistrals in September 2015 after Moscow and Paris had terminated the $1.3-billion contract in August as Paris accused Moscow of alleged participation in the internal conflict in Ukraine.