Posted on 09/02/2014 8:04:14 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
We have heard a lot about 'tough sanctions' on Russia following its invasion of Crimea, shoot down of an airliner full of Europeans, and the continued shadow war in Eastern Ukraine, yet apparently it's fine to sell him this 21k ton French-built amphibious assault ship. Bad move.
Under a $1.7B contract between Russia and France, France would build the Russian Navy a pair of Mistral Class amphibious assault ships, after which Russia would build follow-on units under license in St. Petersburg. Russia has a least two additional ships planned.
Part of the Mistral Class deal provides Russia with a quartet of economical but modern amphibious helicopter carriers, the other part jump-starts Russia's latent large shipbuilding knowledge and industrial base which has significantly atrophied since the Soviet days. In other words, the Mistral Class deal's one-two punch is both as a new means of power projection for Russia and as a technological and industrial infusion that would allow Putin's more belligerent Russia to jump 10-15 years ahead of their current big warship building know-how. Not a bad deal for $1.7B.
It has been said that France's Mistral Class, of which three serve in the 'Marine Nationale,' offers close to the same capability of the US Wasp Class Amphibious Helicopter Docks but at one sixth the cost and crew size, and the type has been lauded for packing a tremendous amount of flexibility into a relatively streamlined and efficient package.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com ...
America seems to have endless surplus of military supplies now that we are shrinking our military to pre-WWI readiness levels. Instead of militarizing our local police forces, we should give it to our allies, if we have any left.
America is being left behind. Allies are looking for others that they trust more these days.
Hopefully they will be every bit as good as the Charles DeGaulle ...
Somebody better check their facts.
I want one of these with an all women crew.
‘Cause he contracted and paid for them?
Politicians sell their country out for money all the time. Look how advanced the Chinese missiles are thanks to Bill Clinton, and he’s a democrat hero not a disgraced traitor.
Guess they won’t be completed in time to land Russian Marines at Mariupol./
By all reports, Mistrals are good capable amphibious helicopter assault ships that can take into & support a battalion sized unit in combat.
In the hands of our friends & allies they are a great asset.
In our enemies’ hands they are factors to be reckoned with.
Seems to me, bottom line, there is no way these two Mistrals should be delivered to Putin on time as promised.
Are they going teach the Russians how to surrender???
Not even close.
Erroneous and misleading, at best.
You must be referring to one of those 450 man "battalions" that the Europeans are fond of.
these ships are also short on cargo and cannot sustain even that smaller force for more than a week or two.
The WASP class can put 1200 men on the beach, supply them and provide air support/transport for 30 days.
A full Marine Battalion Landing Team with a Marine Air Detachment.
These Mistral's are for the Boy Scouts. They are not a threat to Western interests...UNLESS the teach the Russians how to build real ships...something the French are not exactly expert at.
A US Marine "...battalion usually contains two to five organic companies (batteries in the artillery), with a total of 500 to 1,200 marines in the battalion."
That's what I was thinking of: bigger than a company, smaller than a brigade.
US Wasp class ships carry 1,900 marines, almost all of a 2,200 man Marine Expeditionary Unit, which includes a Battalion Landing Team of 1,100 men, commanded by a colonel.
So I would call that "a brigade sized force".
In rough terms:
French Mistral:
US Wasp class:
It is correct. Thank you.
So, my point is, the Mistral is a nice ship -- we welcome it in our allies, don't want to see it with our enemies, but let's be serious, one or two will not be a major military threat.
And the French should come to understand that they will not deliver those Mistrals to reset-friend Vladimir until his behavior improves, considerably.
Aren’t the words ‘Powerful’ and ‘French’ diametrically opposed except when combined with ‘smell’?
They will all carry the V/STOL version of the F-35....about 20 per ship.
Along with helos and Marines.
The US Navy also STILL has absolute dominance of the seas...Chinese bluster not withstanding.
About a quarter larger, and rated to carry a supported battalion of 1100.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.