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Mistral project proves efficiency of Russian-French cooperation - STX France CEO

Laurent Castaing has taken part in a ceremony of launching the Vladivostok stern in St Petersburg

ST PETERSBURG, June 26 (Itar-Tass) - The implementation of the Mistral project at the Baltiisky Zavod (Baltic Shipyard) proves the efficiency of Russian-French cooperation, STX France CEO Laurent Castaing told Itar-Tass.

Castaing has taken part in a ceremony of launching the Vladivostok stern in St Petersburg.

The helicopter carrier’s stern has been launched from the Baltiisky Zavod after it is left for the coasts of France where it will be docked to the fore of the ship at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard. The helicopter carrier should be part of Russia’s Navy in the autumn of 2014, Castaign said, adding, “France has many technological innovations in the field of shipbuilding and it is ready to give them to the Russian partners.”

He said French specialists “monitored the construction and took part in the assembly of all parts. Our specialists will be also in St Petersburg when the Baltiisky Zavod has to manufacture the stern of the Sevastopol ship”.

The United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSC) is a sub-contractor of the French Shipyard. The Baltiisky Zavod manufactured the part of the ship section (94 metres long. The ship can launch 6,400 tonnes).

The stern will be started towing to Saint-Nazaire on July 8. The cruise will last till July 25.

In June 2011 Rosoboronexport and France’s DCNS signed a contract at the sum of 1.1 billion euros to build two Mistral ships for Russia’s Navy.