Russia to buy warship from France in first Nato arms deal since Cold War

Russia is close to buying a warship from France in its first deal to import military technology from a Nato state since the end of the Cold War.

Bernard Kouchner, France’s Foreign Minister, and Hervé Morin, the Defence Minister, made it clear that they supported the sale of a Mistral assault ship to Russia during talks in Moscow yesterday.

The move is likely to alarm other Nato states after Russia indicated that it was seeking a bigger deal to upgrade its armed forces with advanced Western technology. It could also raise tensions in the Black Sea, where Russia has threatened to act against Georgian naval vessels if they block ships from travelling to the separatist region of Abkhazia.

The Mistral can deploy four landing barges, 16 helicopters and up to 70 vehicles, including 13 tanks. It can also carry 450 soldiers and is equipped with a 69-bed hospital. The ship is likely to cost £350 million.

After a meeting of the Russian-French Security Cooperation Council Mr Morin said: “France is open to arms cooperation, including the possible sale of a helicopter ship to Russia.”

Mr Kouchner said that the two countries would have to reach a political agreement first but added: “If a political accord is reached I believe you will be able to buy this ship.”

General Nikolai Makarov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, has said that Moscow wants to buy up to four more ships of the same class to be jointly built in Russia...