W/S Partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Partially constructed mistral class assault ship undocking
W/S Towing of partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Crowd watching from roof
W/S Workers in partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Workers on partially constructed mistral class assault ship
M/S Towing of partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Towing partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Workers on partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Towing partially constructed mistral class assault ship
M/S Chains falling into water, undocking
M/S Side of partially constructed mistral class assault ship
W/S Partially constructed mistral class assault ship undocking
SCRIPT
Russia: The stern of the Mistral helicopter carrier sets off from St. Petersburg
A basic construction of a Mistral type helicopter carrier, the 'Vladivostok', was launched into water at the Baltic shipyard in St. Petersburg, on Wednesday.
The stern portion of the ship is to be sent to the French Shipyard in Saint Nazaire on July 4th where it will be docked to meet specifications that will see the ship built in the time frame specified in the contract France and Russia signed contract in June 2011. The deal is for two French-built Mistral-class helicopter carriers. A further deal for French licensed mistral ships has been delayed.
With displacement of 21,000 tonnes and maximum hull length of 210 meters, a Mistral-class assault ship can move at a speed of over 18 knots and has an endurance up to 20,000 miles. The ship with 160 crew members can take 450 additional soldiers on board and transport 16 helicopters.
