Mistral News thread

France already missed a mid-November deadline for handing over the first of the amphibious assault ships to Russia.

On November 16, one of the France’s biggest union federations, Workers’ Force, called on Paris to fulfill the Mistral deal and deliver the two warships to Russia, otherwise 2,500 shipyard employees may lose their jobs.

Le Figaro reported that the union expressed "shock and outrage" after Paris put off the delivery due to pressure from the US and EU, which imposed several waves of sanctions against Moscow after Crimea joined Russia amid the Ukraine crisis.

Both Washington and Brussels have pressed Paris into suspending the contract for two Mistral ships - clearly as part of an ongoing strategy to pressure Moscow with sanctions over its perceived involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

Meanwhile, France faces a multibillion-dollar fine if it fails to deliver, under the terms of the contract.

Back in September several hundred protesters gathered in western France, in the harbor of Saint-Nazaire, to protest against the French government's decision to suspend the delivery of a Mistral warship to Russia.

People gathered by the docked Vladivostok were holding banners that read, "Hollande wants to kill Saint-Nazaire. We say no,” and “Let's deliver Mistral and provide our citizens with job" and "For the victory of Mistral, for our independence."

sepheronx wrote:He chose USA.

Hopefully Russia will take France to court. Or demand money back and if france doesnt pull through, Russia then strips Frances assets in Russia as payment.

higurashihougi wrote:

sepheronx wrote:He chose USA.

Hopefully Russia will take France to court. Or demand money back and if france doesnt pull through, Russia then strips Frances assets in Russia as payment.

The loss is not only money, but also reputation.

Now, Russia can easily point the finger into France and say: "See ? Can you see ? Your President and his subordinates are the servants of Washington DC. They do not serve you. They do not serve their own country. They are serving Obama and the bosses in the U.S."

Hollande and the scumbags in EU politics are being humiliated in all these affairs.

AlfaT8 wrote:No Deal? France Says it Might Never Deliver Mistral Ships to Russia

According to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, there is a possiblity that France will never go throught with the delivery of the Mistral-class ships.

PARIS, December 5 (Sputnik) — It is possible that France will never deliver to Russia the Mistral-class ships it built under a contract with the country if the situation in Ukraine does not change, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Friday.

"At the moment we are not handing over [the Mistral ships]. It is possible that we will never do and Russia is aware of it," Le Drian told news channel BFM TV.

He noted that France's final decision on Mistral delivery will depend on the development of the situation in Ukraine.
http://sputniknews.com/military/20141205/1015530292.html

medo wrote:France say never until 2017, when Le Pen become new president.

par far wrote:Make the dam French pay the money back with huge penalties, if they don't deliver the Mistrals.

flamming_python wrote:

par far wrote:Make the dam French pay the money back with huge penalties, if they don't deliver the Mistrals.

I'm all for wringing them like a wet sponge to squeeze out every dollar. Twist it right the way around

But I think Putin's not in the mood for it, he's willing to brush it under the rug. Big softie he is.

GJ Flanker wrote:Beside Russia, there is, IMHO, only India as a potential customer for the 2 "Ex-Russian" Mistrals. China would buy them gladly but the Americans would never allow this.

sepheronx wrote:

flamming_python wrote:

par far wrote:Make the dam French pay the money back with huge penalties, if they don't deliver the Mistrals.

I'm all for wringing them like a wet sponge to squeeze out every dollar. Twist it right the way around

But I think Putin's not in the mood for it, he's willing to brush it under the rug. Big softie he is.

I sure hope not.  This would give a sting to France.  Already people are pissed off at the idiot they have as a leader.  This could be even a bigger sting.  Putin has nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Not only do he make France politicians looks incompetent, he also will get his money + more back.  As well, France will lose credit on the international arms market, which is a competitor to Russia.

type055 wrote:

sepheronx wrote:

flamming_python wrote:

par far wrote:Make the dam French pay the money back with huge penalties, if they don't deliver the Mistrals.

I'm all for wringing them like a wet sponge to squeeze out every dollar. Twist it right the way around

But I think Putin's not in the mood for it, he's willing to brush it under the rug. Big softie he is.

I sure hope not.  This would give a sting to France.  Already people are pissed off at the idiot they have as a leader.  This could be even a bigger sting.  Putin has nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Not only do he make France politicians looks incompetent, he also will get his money + more back.  As well, France will lose credit on the international arms market, which is a competitor to Russia.

France don't afraid lose credit , they don't have any credit at first. think about Falklands War they keep Exocet missile， they don't give them to Argentina in time