Russia To Provide Equipment For Egypt’s Mistral-Class Helicopter Carriers

Russian equipment is likely to be made available for Egypt’s Mistral-class helicopter carriers delivered by France.

"It is likely that since the deal [on the Mistral delivery] between Egypt and France has been signed and the warship delivery is ongoing, with one [warship] already there and the other one arriving a little bit later, the decision [on the supply of Russian equipment] will be made, the equipment must work," Rosoboronexport Deputy Director General Igor Sevastyanov was quoted as saying by Sputnik at the Eurosatory exhibition Thursday.

Russia and Egypt had started consultations on the purchase and management of a $1 billion worth communication system and Ka-52K helicopters for Mistral-type warships in November last year.

In August 2015, Paris and Moscow formally terminated the 1.2-billion-euro (some $1.3 billion at current exchange rates) deal on the construction and delivery of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers.

Egypt emerged as France’s replacement customer for the Mistrals in September, following the Paris and Moscow’s termination of a 2011 deal on construction and delivery of the two ships.

In November 2014, France had suspended the contract, citing Moscow's alleged participation in the Ukrainian conflict as a reason to terminate the deal.

In October 2015, Egypt and France signed a contract to buy two Mistral-class helicopter carriers originally built for Russia.

"Negotiations are continuing with Egypt on the delivery of radio-electronic equipment for the Mistral helicopter carriers. It’s already completely clear that the equipment stripped from the Mistral that was meant for the Russian Navy will not be delivered to Egypt…The possibility of preparing a different set of equipment especially for Egypt is currently under discussion," a spokesperson from Rostec had said in February this year.