Russia doesn't rule out suing France over failed Mistral delivery

“Russia will be acting in strict compliance with the contract,” Chizhov stressed. “It includes certain delays due to technical reasons, and if the fact is established that the supplier has breached the contract, Russia will take the measures envisaged by the contract, including turning to an arbitration court,” the diplomat said.

Earlier this week, Le Parisien newspaper reported that if France doesn't deliver Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia, the penalty may amount to €3 billion ($3.7 billion).

The €1.2 billion contract to build Mistrals for Russian Navy was signed in June 2011. The first Mistral warship, the Vladivostok, was to have been handed over to Russia on November 14, 2014, but Paris delayed it indefinitely.

Infographics

Mistral helicopter carrier

Russia will purchase Mistral-class helicopter carriers from France. Infographics by TASS