'Impossible' for France to Find Another Mistrals' Buyer Except for Russia

France will not be able to find prospective buyers for the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers purpose-built for Russian ordnances, the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade (CAWAT) said Tuesday.

MOSCOW, July 7 (Sputnik) – French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian ruled out on Monday the prospect of the Mistrals ending up in Russia, acknowledging that the cancellation of the contract would cost Paris $1.3 billion.

CAWAT’s expert said the two warships had been specifically built for Russia’s Ka-52K Alligator attack helicopters, a naval modification of the Kamov Ka-52 with reinforced landing gear intended for ship-borne attacks. Each of the carriers is capable of carrying up to 16 of the aircraft.

The analysis center expert added that significant differences in standards between the Russian Navy and NATO would compound the dilemma.

“That is why it will be rather problematic, and most likely impossible, for France to find another buyer, except for the Russian Navy,” the expert told RIA Novosti.

The CAWAT expert suggested that the warships may either end up as scrap metal or renovated as floating migratory camps for France’s burgeoning population of undocumented immigrants.

A final agreement on French compensation to Russia for the termination of the 2011 Mistral contracts is pending.

In April, French President Francois Hollande said Paris would return Moscow's payment for the warships if the contract was terminated. Moscow has insisted on a full refund.