Rogozin: Paris cannot sell Mistral without Moscow’s consent

The French side cannot make decisions on the sale of Mistral helicopter carriers to anyone without the consent of Russia, since it has an end-user certificate, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told reporters, “France cannot sell Mistral-class helicopter carriers built for Russia , without Moscow's permission. They can't sell anything without our permission. The stern parts are ours. We have an UPC on them - an end-user certificate,” he said, as writes TASS.

At the same time, Rogozin characterized all manipulations regarding the sale or sinking of helicopter carriers as attempts by “their (French) military to blackmail their politicians.” He recalled that the ships being built for the Russian Navy are completely Russified and adapted to Navy standards, “from signs to power supply, they are made to the technical requirements of the Russian Navy.”

Answering the question whether the French side knew about this, Rogozin said: “I explained everything to them in detail.”

The contract for the supply of two helicopter carriers was concluded between France and Russia in 2011.

On April 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the Direct Line that Russia would not demand penalties from France for refusing to supply the Mistral, but the money and all costs incurred must be returned.

Eight US Congressmen offered NATO to buy Mistral-type helicopter carriers from France from France.