MOSCOW, May 26 /TASS/. Russia has made an absolutely right decision to abandon the French-made Mistral helicopter carriers, Vladimir Gutenev, the first deputy head of the Russian State Duma Committee for Industry, told TASS on Tuesday.
According to Gutenev, Russia should give priority to economic decisions. "It is important to assess how many times the sum which we are going to get back exceeds the sum of the Mistral contract. It is necessary to use all legal aspects and consider not only the size of compensation but also missed profit from opportunities which we were supposed to have upon the ships’ receipt. The French are already incurring serious expenses," the deputy said.
Gutenev is sure that the Russian defense industry has the potential and power to create a more progressive version of the Mistral helicopter carrier. "As for the prospect of construction, it is up to the customer - the Russian Defense Ministry in this case," the deputy went on to say.
"If new threats require the creation of such ships, I am sure that the United Shipbuilding Corporation will produce ships superior to Mistrals by all the main technical characteristics," the committee’s first deputy head said.
Technologically, it will not be difficult for the Russian side, which has gained access to Mistrals’ drawings. "It’s an open book for us now," the deputy concluded.
Russia has abandoned the Mistral helicopter carriers which it ordered in France and is now discussing the size of compensation. Until recently, Russian President Vladimir Putin has kept saying that he is not going to demand any penalties from France for refusal to deliver the Mistrals on condition that all the money and expenses should be returned.