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SCORPENE RETURNS, READY TO STING?

Scorpene and the French Judicial Inquiry

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Mistral-class amphibious assault ship

The Mistral class is a class of three amphibious assault ships, also known as a helicopter carrier, of the French Navy. Referred to as “projection and command ships” (French: bâtiments de projection et de commandement or BPC), a Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 NH90 or Tiger helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 vehicles including 13 AMX Leclerc tanks, or a 40-strong Leclerc tank battalion, and 450 soldiers. The ships are equipped with a 69-bed hospital, and are capable of serving as part of a NATO Response Force, or with United Nations or European Union peace-keeping forces.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral-class_amphibious_assault_ship

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France is looking for buyers for 2 Mistral-class helicopter carriers, built for the Russians. President Francois Hollande canceled the deal in 2014, following Russia’s continuing involvement in Ukraine, annexing the Crimean peninsula and reportedly arming pro-Russian separatists.

Having sold Malaysia a Scorpene submarine that could not submerged, France now has something new to dangle before the PM of Malaysia.

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France Russia Mistral Ships Update: Malaysia To Buy Aircraft Carrier?

The French defense minister is in talks with Malaysia to sell the Southeast Asian nation one of the Mistral warship aircraft carriers that was initially intended for Russia, a source close to the talks told Reuters Tuesday. Several countries, especially in emerging nations in Southeast Asia and South America, have been interested in the purchase of the ships, with reports confirming that one of the ships would be sold to Malaysia.
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The two Mistrals were originally built for Russia in a deal made by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2011. Set to be delivered in 2014 and 2016, the ships would have marked the first arms deal between a Western nation and Russia. President Francois Hollande canceled the deal in 2014, following Russia’s continuing involvement in Ukraine, annexing the Crimean peninsula and reportedly arming pro-Russian separatists.

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Nazmi Zaini ‏@NazmiMZaini Sep 1

Malaysia‘s consider to be a potential buyer of USD 650mil’s aircraft carrier. Kaya kaya kita.

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France Russia Mistral Ships Update: Malaysia To Buy Aircraft Carrier? http://www.ibtimes.com/france-russia-mistral-ships-update-malaysia-buy-aircraft-carrier-2069052#.VeVKsg1eeXQ.twitter …

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Reuters

World | Tue Aug 25, 2015 4:21pm BST

France to discuss Mistral sale to Malaysia – source

The two Mistral-class helicopter carriers Sevastopol (L) and Vladivostok are seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France, May 25, 2015. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

France‘s defence minister will discuss the sale to Malaysia of one of the Mistral helicopter carriers originally destined for Russia during a visit to the country, a source familiar with the talks said, confirming a report on news website latribune.fr.
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French President Francois Hollande confirmed on Tuesday that there were several potential buyers for the two Mistral. France cancelled the planned sale of the warships to Russia because of the Ukraine crisis.

No one was immediately reachable for comment at the French defence ministry, Dassault Aviation or Mistral manufacturer DCNS, in which Thales holds 35 percent.

(Reporting by Cyril Altmeyer; Editing by Andrew Callus)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/08/25/uk-france-malaysia-mistral-idUKKCN0QU1X720150825

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