DCNS signs contract with Russian defence export agency for ships

DCNS today signed a contract with Russian defence export agency Rosoboronexport under the Franco-Russian intergovernmental agreement of 25 January for the supply of four Mistral/BPC-type force projection & command vessels. The contract signed today calls for two Mistral/BPC ships and associated services including initial logistics, training, and the transfer of technologies. It was signed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum at a ceremony attended by Dmitry Medvedev, the President of the Russian Federation. For this contract, DCNS will act as prime contractor and will also integrate the operations direction and communication systems. The shipbuilding of platforms will be subcontracted to the STX shipyard at Saint-Nazaire in western France assisted by Russian shipbuilder OSK. A subcontract has been signed by STX and OSK. The sale of these two vessels to Russia represents more than 1,000 full-time jobs in France over a period of four years. The first ship will be delivered to Russia in 2014, three years after the contract’s coming into force. The second BPC will be delivered in 2015. This is the first international success for the Mistral/BPC design in service with the French Navy. On the international market, this ship is known as a landing helicopter dock or LHD. DCNS-designed BPCs are inherently multirole vessels meeting the needs of many navies. They are ideal for a wide range of civilian and military missions.