A tender for the construction and purchase of helicopter carriers for the Russian Navy will be announced in the next few weeks, a highly placed source in the military industrial complex said on Friday.
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said on August 20 the ministry was preparing to announce an international tender for the construction of two amphibious assault ships and that the results of the tender would be announced before the end of the year.
"A tender for the purchase of Mistral type helicopter carriers is set to be announced in the nearest future. This is likely to happen at the end of September or at the beginning of October," the official said.
He said specialists from the military industrial complex were preparing the necessary documents with the assistance of international lawyers.
Earlier Serdyukov said that both Russian and foreign companies, as well as the Mistral manufacturer itself, would participate in the tender.
Meanwhile, Paris is continuing negotiations with Moscow on the purchase of a Mistral-class warship on a 2+2 scheme whereby Russia will buy one or two French-built Mistrals and build another two under license at home.
The 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.
MOSCOW, September 17 (RIA Novosti)
