Deal Inked For Pair Of French Amphibious Warships

Russia has finalized a contract to buy two French Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, reports RIA Novosti.

The US$1.7 billion deal was signed on Friday in St. Petersburg. The ships will be built at the St. Nazaire shipyard in France. Another two ships are slated to be built in Russia at a later date. Some other accounts give different contract figures.

The agreement to buy was reached last year, but final details led to extended discussions.

The first vessel is...