The BPC Mistral close to winning the Russian bet

(BRUSSELS2) It's done! At least that's what the Russian Interfax and French AFP news agencies claim. The choice of the French vessel of the Mistral type is "practically acquired", and the international call for tenders launched in September will be a "formality“, according to an official of the general staff of the Russian navy, quoted by the Interfax agency. According to a process, rather classic in military matters, “the call for tenders will be formulated in such a way that the victory of the French ship is practically acquired". The Russians would buy 2 ships and produce 2 others, with the transfer of certain technologies, as a result.

Apparently none of the French manufacturers, so quick to denounce the opening of military markets to all winds (read here) denounced this French takeover bid on the supply of warships to Russia...

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)