Thursday, June 05, 2014

France will defy U.S. and train crew for Russian warships

France will defy U.S. and train crew for Russian warships
France is preparing to train hundreds of Russian naval crew to operate a powerful French-made warship this month, defying calls from the U.S. and other Western allies to keep the vessel out of the Kremlin’s hands, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
A group of 400 Russian sailors are scheduled to arrive on June 22 in the French Atlantic port of Saint-Nazaire to undergo months of instruction aboard two Mistral-class warships, which 
The Russian cwill significantly enhance Russian naval power at a time of tensions over Ukraine and concerns about President Vladimir Putin’s intentions in the Baltic.
“The training is a pivotal step that deepens France's commitment to fulfilling the €1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) contract to supply Russia with the carriers, which are built to launch amphibious attacks with landing craft, helicopters and tanks.”

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