Russia issued a stark warning to France regarding two Mistral helicopter carriers that are supposed to be delivered by Nov. 14.
“We are preparing for different scenarios. We are waiting until the end of the month, then we will lodge serious claims,” a high ranking official told Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti, Radio Free Europe, a European news organization reported Friday.
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said a specific delivery date for the carriers has not been determined, the organization reported.
A $1.6 billion deal between the two nations was finalized in 2011, but Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its continued military operations in eastern Ukraine prompted France to delay delivery of the naval assets in September.
One of the ships, The Vladivostok, can carry 700 troops, 16 helicopter gunships, and up to 50 armored vehicles, according to The Associated Press.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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