Second Mistral Sea Trials to Be Held Without Russian Military

France will hold second ‘Mistral’ trials in open sea next week without Russian military.

The second Mistral-class amphibious assault ship built for Russia will start open sea trials next week.

"The first sea trials are scheduled for next week in the period between 16 and 20 March. The exact date of departure of the ship from the dock depends on the weather conditions”, according to a spokesperson of DCNS Shipbuilder Company, reports news agency.

According to him, representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense will not take part in the sea trials.

The delivery of two Mistral-class assault ships to Russia was agreed under a $1.5 billion deal between Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport and French shipbuilder DCNS, signed in 2011.

The Mistral-Class Helicopter Carrier