Russia and France Form Shipbuilding Consortium

Russia’s state controlled United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) signed an agreement to form a shipbuilding consortium with French company DCNS in St. Petersburg Monday. The consortium will build military and civilian ships and will include the transfer of technologies. The consortium will most likely be the winner of a Russian tender to build two Mistral-class amphibious assault helicopter carriers. France has said they could have the first Mistral completed by 2013 if they win the tender. Reportedly Russia plans to buy four of the $480 million to $600 million carriers, on the condition that two are built in Russia. Russia is expected to announce the winner of the tender at the end of the year. DCNS is owned in part by defense electronics group, Thales and shipbuilder STX. Pictured: The Wind Mistral, the lead ship of the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships