Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his French counterpart Nikolas Sarkozy may discuss the purchase by Russia of a French Mistral-class warship at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 17-19, a Kremlin aide said on Thursday.
Russia has negotiated the purchase of at least one Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, worth 400-500 million euros (around $540-$675 million) and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS. France insists on selling two vessels and building another two in Russia.
Medvedev and Sarkozy will deliver speeches, hold bilateral talks and take part in Russian-French business discussions during the forum, which will bring together Russian and international economists, politicians and officials.
Arkady Dvorkovich said the helicopter carrier deal "may be touched upon" at the forum.
The head of Russia's Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation said in late April that Russia and France would sign the agreement on the purchase of a Mistral-class ship by the end of the year.
A Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armored vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.
Many Russian military and industry experts have questioned the financial and military sense of the purchase, and some believe that Russia simply wants to gain access to advanced naval technology that could be used in the future in potential conflicts with NATO and its allies.
MOSCOW, May 20 (RIA Novosti)
