France’s defense minister announced Thursday that his government reached an agreement with Russia to cancel the contract for the sale of two Mistral-class warships.
Jean-Yves Le Drian said France would fully reimburse what Russia had already paid for the contract, without mentioning the specific amount.
As part of Western sanctions for Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and apparent support for pro-Russian insurgents in Ukraine, France suspended the delivery of the first warship last November.
The second warship, to be named Sevastopol, after a port in Crimea that Russia annexed from Ukraine in March 2014, was due to be delivered later this year.
It has been reported that the cost of the deal was $1.3 billion.
Le Drian said that several counties had expressed interest to buy the Mistral-class vessels built for Russia, which are similar to the U.S. Navy’s San Antonio-class of amphibious ships.
The Mistral warships can carry 700 troops, 16 helicopter gunships and up to 50 armored vehicles. (VOA)
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