France sells its Mistral helicopter carriers to Egypt
- 9 years ago
The French have finally found a buyer for the two Mistral helicopter carriers they built for the Russians.
The state-of-the-art ships will be going to Egypt after President Franois Hollands and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shook on a deal that will ensure the French don’t lose money on the sale.
The French agreed to reimburse Russia 950 million euros last month after Paris scotched the sale following Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and subsequent western sanctions.
The Egyptians say one vessel will be based in the Mediterranian and one in the Red sea. It is likely the purchase will be part-funded by Gulf Arab states, currently conducting joint operations in Yemen.
It is the latest chapter in a growing military relationship between Paris and Cairo, which recently saw the sale of 24 Rafale advanced fighter planes to Egypt, along with several warships.
The state-of-the-art ships will be going to Egypt after President Franois Hollands and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shook on a deal that will ensure the French don’t lose money on the sale.
The French agreed to reimburse Russia 950 million euros last month after Paris scotched the sale following Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and subsequent western sanctions.
The Egyptians say one vessel will be based in the Mediterranian and one in the Red sea. It is likely the purchase will be part-funded by Gulf Arab states, currently conducting joint operations in Yemen.
It is the latest chapter in a growing military relationship between Paris and Cairo, which recently saw the sale of 24 Rafale advanced fighter planes to Egypt, along with several warships.