Russia and France signed an agreement on Tuesday to build Mistral-class warships.
The deal was signed by Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and French Defense Minister Alain Juppe in the presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Saint Nazaire.
Mistral-class amphibious assault ships can carry up to 16 helicopters, four landing craft and a 750-strong landing force, and are equipped with a 69-bed hospital.