Paris, 24 December 2010
Dmitri Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, today informed French President Nicolas Sarkozy that, following the international call for tender issued on 5 October 2010 to supply the Russian navy with two amphibious assault ships [LHDs or BPCs (bâtiments de projection et de commandement as they are known in French)], the Russian authorities have accepted the offer put forward by the consortium formed by the French manufacturers DCNS and STX, and Russian shipyard OSK.
The consortium’s offer first provides for the joint construction of two ships of this type, which should be extended by the production of two more.
Presidents Medvedev and Sarkozy welcome the concrete form given to this unprecedented cooperation, which will benefit industry and employment in our two countries and highlights France and Russia’s determination and capacity to develop ambitious partnerships in every field, including defence and security.
The Presidency of the Republic adds that the construction of the LHDs for Russia will equate to five million working hours or 1,000 jobs over four years, mainly at Saint-Nazaire, for the French manufacturers DCNS and STX.
Source: Construction of amphibious assault ships – Joint communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic and the Presidency of the Russian Federation ambafrance-uk.org
