Will France deliver the Mistral warship to Russia and wrisk NATO's wrath or will it cut its losses? Photo: AFP
Posted on 11/07/2014 3:53:20 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
France insisted on Thursday that conditions "have not been met" to allow for the controversial delivery of a warship to Russia, but with the deadline approaching, Paris finds itself in a real predicament - lose billions or risk NATO's wrath?
As a deadline for the controversial delivery of a warship to Russia nears, France faces a gruelling dilemma: ditch the deal, lose billions and antagonise Moscow - or go ahead and attract NATO's wrath.
Until the deadly crisis in Ukraine erupted this year, the €1.2 billion ($1.5-billion) contract to build and sell two mammoth Mistral-class assault ships to the Russian navy had been firmly on track.
But faced with a growing outcry over the deal as Russia's involvement in the Ukraine crisis became ever clearer, President Francois Hollande in September suspended delivery of the first ship - planned for October or November - and Paris said the decision would be reassessed this month.
A ceasefire signed by Kiev and pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine seemed to pave the way for a happy, guilt-free ending. But leadership elections held by rebels last weekend threaten to close the lid on any immediate resolution of the crisis -- and Hollande's daunting dilemma.
"Whatever our future decision, half of the world will have it in for us,"said a top-level French official who declined to be named.
'No plan B'
On THursday French PM Manuel Valls once again insisted that "conditions have not been met" to allow for the delivery of the Mistral.
If Paris decides to deliver the amphibious assault ships, which can carry 16 helicopters, four landing crafts, 13 tanks, 450 soldiers and a hospital, it will antagonise Poland and the Baltic states -- all of which are nervous about the close proximity of an unpredictable Russia.
The United States is also firmly opposed to the delivery at a time when sanctions are raining down on Russia to try and force Moscow to drop its support for rebels in Ukraine's east.
But if France cancels the deal altogether - the second ship is due to be delivered some time next year - it risks gaining the reputation of a country that does not honour its contracts.
And as the country suffers through a tough economic crisis, huge, job-creating manufacturing deals are more than welcome.
"Russia will make an official complaint and will demand that penalties be paid, and it will have strong chances of winning a trial," said Alexandre Goltz, an independent military analyst based in Moscow.
"France will also be seen as the country that had to yield to US pressure."
The fines for not honouring the contract could run into billions of euros.
A French source who is close to the case and wished to remain anonymous said that if Paris ditched the contract, it would earn the "esteem of Poland and the applause of Washington".
But, he added, "we're not going to get very far with that."
More worrying, "there is no plan B," says another source close to manufacturer DCNS.
Selling the ships to another client is not possible as Russian technology has already been installed on board, which Moscow would not want any other country to have and which in any case is not technically compatible with Western military systems.
Concerns over the impact of a cancellation on other ongoing negotiations such as the sale of 126 Rafale fighter jets to India, however, appear overblown.
"Ties between India and France are completely different to those between Russia and Western countries," said Philippe Plouvier of the Boston Consulting Group.
Delay delivery?
In Moscow, a source working in the area of military cooperation told TASS agency Tuesday that the contract allowed for delivery to be postponed for three months.
Another "military-diplomatic" source cited by Interfax news agency on Thursday said that Russian sailors currently being trained in Saint-Nazaire in western France, where the shipyard is located, could wait until the end of December to take ownership of the vessel.
"After that our sailors will have to go back to Kronstadt (a naval base in Saint-Petersburg)," the source was quoted as saying.
Although Paris has not confirmed this, experts agree that delaying delivery of the first warship could be Hollande's best move -- for now.
"The political and financial cost would remain limited at this stage," said Bruno Tertrais of the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Research think tank.
Still, Paris will have little room for manoeuvre.
"If we're still in the same situation in a few months time, all things considered, it would be indecent not to consider a cancellation," Tertrais said.
"One way or another, we will have to resolve this dilemma during the winter."
Will France deliver the Mistral warship to Russia and wrisk NATO's wrath or will it cut its losses? Photo: AFP
I think one of the conditions not yet met was an agreement by the Russians to not march around the next Maginot Line when they invade.
Why don’t they just keep it and expand their own Navy?
Quite a dilemma: get billions of dollars, or bend to NATO’s will. What a quandary!
France needs the jobs this ship building contract brings and doesn’t need the loss of reputation as a reliable weapons systems contractor going forward.
If Hollende wants a shot a re-election he’ll honor the contract and endure the diplomatic fallout from the nags in Brussels over his decision.
Down through my 75 years on Earth, references I’ve heard to proverbial “French whores” have been innumerable. To my mind, it is borderline immoral acts such as this; building warships for an avowed enemy, that prove my contention that the majority of whorish acts people and nations commit have nothing at all to do with sex. Hey France; “morning afters” can be a nightmare! Was going to bed with Putin really worth it?
Which is worse; bending to NATO’s will, fully clothed, or bending over naked for Putin. This will be interesting to watch. Large popcorn, please. Extra butter.
May I have a ping, please.
“One ping only, Vassily.” Capt. Ramius
France expects Russia to use the von Schlieffen plan?
I know the left hates us and our NATO alliance, but yes, France needs to honor their alliance with us.
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