WIREDGOV

An International Institute for Strategic Studies Strategic Comment on Russian navy's regeneration plans:

A recent deal under which Russia will buy four Mistral naval ships from France is an important demonstration that Moscow is getting serious about building a modern navy.

The first two landing helicopter docks (LHDs) will be constructed in France and, in a significant boost to the Russian shipbuilding industry, the other two will be built under licence in Russia.

Agreed on 25 January, the deal will mark the first time that a Western country has transferred any major weapons platform to Russia since the end of the Second World War.

However, it remains unclear whether it will kick-start a new phase of modernisation, and whether the large-scale reform envisaged in Russia’s State Programme of Armaments 2011–2020 can be realised.

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