A two-country delegation is visiting the “Yantar” Baltic ship-building factory in order to inspect the possibility of construction of a “Mistral” amphibious ship in Russia.

The Mistral is considered the latest high-tech military achievement of French construction. Earlier this year, Russia and France discussed the prospective purchase by Russia of one such vessel.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin is heading the Russian delegation. The head of Special Headquarters of the French President, General Benoit Puga, leads the French mission.

“The great length of Russian marine borders and necessity of their solid security are the factors which have laid the grounds for our plans of modernization of Russia Naval Forces,” Igor Sechin said.

“Among the tasks are providing the country’s sovereignty, possible participation in peacekeeping missions and taking part in anti-crisis situations. In this context we consider the perspectives of military-technical co-operation in the sphere of shipbuilding,” he added.

“It's not just about a commercial deal, but in a certain way [it's about] the breaking of patterns – [our] readiness to discuss delicate questions, including those concerning military-technical co-operation.”

“France intends to work and collaborate with Russia as the greatest ally in this region, and it means the Iron Curtain has been left far behind,” Benoit Puga maintained.