Historic French-Russian Arms Deal Causes Alarm, Debate

[Furry Dance]

In an historic arms deal, that has alarmed observers in the United States and Europe, France has agreed to sell Russia an advanced Mistral-class amphibious assault ship and to provide three more of the vessels upon their construction. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, but Radio France Internationale reported Feb. 8 that terms finally had been reached.

The deal marks the first time since World War II that Russia has bought a warship from a foreign power, made more significant by the fact that the supplier is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The ship can serve as a hospital in a humanitarian role, but is also capable of carrying combinations of 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters, 40 tanks, 70 military vehicles, four landing craft and more than 900 soldiers – giving Russia a degree of naval power projection that it has lacked since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Analysts have been weighing the implications of the sale since negotiations began in 2009. Some observers cautiously welcome the deal as a sign of improving East-West relations; others have criticized France for helping to rearm a severely depleted Russian fleet.

More:
http://www.usni.org/news-and-features/historic-french-russian-arms-deal-causes-alarm-debate.asp

[xchrom]

1. Quelle amuse. Nt

[FarCenter]

2. Has Russia ever attacked a country they couldn't walk to?

In fact, they've usually been attacked by someone who can walk to Russia.