Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data for: French Mistral-class amphibious assault ship

MOSCOW, November 23 – French Navy a “Northwest Wind”-class helicopter carrier 23 to visit St. Petersburg, Russia. Russian media have previously reported that Russia and France on the purchase of the Founder of this modern helicopter carrier negotiations, this “working visit” to help the Russian Defense Ministry and military industry representatives closer look at this aircraft, its technical performance evaluation. This eventually made the sale if the sales will be the first time in Russia to buy weapons from France.

as an arms exporter, why Russia would like to buy foreign aircraft? Russia’s defense strategy is to be changed? With the “West Wind”-class helicopter carrier’s visit, these issues become a hot media debate.

According to French media reports, “Northwest Wind”-class helicopter carrier for about 200 meters, can carry six helicopters, four landing craft or two hovercraft and 450 Marines, perform airborne, peacekeeping, rescue and other tasks, can also be used to combat piracy. Currently, there are two type of the French Navy helicopter carrier service.

Russian military believes the helicopter carrier can significantly enhance the Russian navy’s operational and mobility. According to RIA Novosti, the Russian Navy plans to deploy such a helicopter carrier in the Northern Fleet and Pacific Fleet. Local media that the “Northwest Wind”-class helicopter carrier unveiled in St. Petersburg, Russia that France is willing to sell this modern warships. According to the Russian side intends to, will start to buy a French helicopter carrier, and this type of construction permits, and then in the Russian territory and then build 3-4 this carrier.

According to expert assessments, every ship, “West Wind”-class helicopter carrier sells for 600 million to 1 billion euros. The difference is so great, because the helicopter carrier’s facilities if the sale of the column. If you buy only Russian warships, not to buy the ship’s aviation equipment, communications and navigation equipment and weapons, then the price will be low.

negotiations with France in order to gain the initiative, the Russian Navy Commander Vladimir Vysotsky said recently, the French helicopter carrier is not the only seller, the Russian Navy will take the bid ways choose the country from which to buy. According to reports, there are many countries in the world can be built helicopter carrier, which among the leading U.S. technology, but the U.S. do not want to transfer to the Russian defense technology. Most likely to compete with France and Spain, the Netherlands, reported that the Russian navy of the Netherlands “Rotterdam” class amphibious dock landing ship and the Spanish shipbuilding group Navantia also interested in similar products.

Russia has a huge military production system, why do not self-produced helicopter carrier? Russian Institute of Strategic Assessment Alexander Konovalov this author believes that, compared with the Soviet Union, the Russian defense industrial system has become incomplete and can not form an organic whole. According to Russian media reports, Russia has a plan to next year’s defense procurement costs to 11,000 billion rubles, a 20% increase over this year, of which 500 billion rubles for the purchase of weapons and military equipment.

Russian helicopter carrier anxious from abroad, with its national defense strategy also has a lot of changes. Russia last year after the outbreak of the conflict frame, Russia’s top leadership that the current domestic and international situation is undergoing drastic changes, Russia is facing the threat involved in local conflicts. Therefore, Russia is necessary for its military strategy be modified to adapt to the new security situation.

Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said recently, Russia’s new military draft strategy has been formed, plans to be submitted before the end of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev approved. The new military strategy to reduce the use of nuclear weapons threshold requirement in addition to large-scale war, the Russian military in the region and even local wars, the war was against conventional weapons, they can use nuclear weapons.

Russian State Duma (lower house) last month Dmitry Medvedev, 23, submitted by the Defence Amendment Act. Under this amendment, the Russian armed forces can fight back against the Russian armed forces overseas and foreign organizations attack, counterattack or to prevent the country for help against the Russian attack. In addition, can also be used to combat piracy and protect the maritime security and protect Russian citizens abroad, to prevent all attacks against them. (People’s Daily reporter Zhang Guangzheng)