The SAAF Forum

Discussion on the SAAF and other southern African air forces.
It is currently 29 Mar 2024, 07:46

All times are UTC + 2 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 269 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 18  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 10:17 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 12 Jun 2011, 14:21
Posts: 2579
Herewith pictures of the VLADIVOSTOK, the French built Mistral class LHD (one of two) destined for the Russian Navy.

I walked past the Vladivostok where it is moored, on both days of my visit to St Nazaire. Although I had previously in Toulon seen the Mistral class LHD's of the French Navy at very close range, it still remains an impressive sight. Then of course the VLADIVOSTOK is to grace the Russian Navy which adds a bit of mystique to the whole scene.

It is said to be the largest military sale in value (USD1.6 Billion for two vessels) by NATO / the West to the Russians. The ship is due to be handed over to the Russians in November 2014.

http://defense-update.com/20140306_vlad ... stral.html

Image
Vladivostok in the Saint Nazaire dock yard

Image

Image


Last edited by Tally-ho on 20 Apr 2015, 11:58, edited 3 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 12:56 
Offline

Joined: 22 Mar 2012, 12:36
Posts: 29
Location: Port Elizabeth
:shock: Wow. That's impressive!

I envy you! 8)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 13:36 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: 29 Jun 2004, 17:19
Posts: 8396
Wonder if the present Russian activities in the Crimea will have any effect on the delivery of the vessels?

But then, business is business ...

_________________
How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 14:41 
Offline

Joined: 07 Apr 2008, 11:50
Posts: 4253
Been on the news channels all morning, Russia has taken over the whole of the Sebastopol naval base which until now has been a shared Ukrainian and Russian base.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 16:03 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 12 Jun 2011, 14:21
Posts: 2579
The following picture was taken on my last visit, in b/w due to misty conditions and the angle of the shot shows it somewhat better. Work was going on apace during both my visits to the Saint Nazaire dock.

As to events in the Crimea - I would be surprised if the French cancelled the deal. They can be stubborn when it comes to business, as all South Africans will know. The pre 1994 SAAF thrived on French supplied equipment until the mandatory arms embargo intervened ....

Image
Mistral class LHD for the Russian Navy - ВЛАДИВОСТОК (VLADIVOSTOK)


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 16:46 
Offline
Honorary Order of the Trommel
User avatar

Joined: 24 Sep 2009, 12:34
Posts: 2092
Great Pics Tally-Ho and all very topical at present. Well done to 'our' roving reporter once more. :smt023


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 19 Mar 2014, 17:12 
Offline

Joined: 27 Apr 2013, 09:43
Posts: 486
Location: Hermanus
Great pics and reporting

Brand new ship with signs of rust already


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 20 Mar 2014, 11:22 
Offline

Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:49
Posts: 2859
Location: Richmond, New Zealand
The Yanks might have something to say about the sale to the Russians regarding the Crimean saga!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 20 Mar 2014, 20:40 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 03 May 2005, 08:40
Posts: 3457
Location: Whangarei, New Zealand
vlamgat16 wrote:
The Yanks might have something to say about the sale to the Russians regarding the Crimean saga!


Wouldn't surprise me, they always seem to have a lot to say about anything in general.

_________________
A plan is simply a basis for change.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 20 Mar 2014, 23:21 
Offline

Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 04:49
Posts: 2859
Location: Richmond, New Zealand
Yup, and Putin has thumbed his nose at the West. May not like him but when he says he is going to do something, he does unlike the namby pamby west!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 21 Mar 2014, 15:38 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 23 Jul 2004, 15:11
Posts: 961
Location: Centurion, RSA
Yip. The USA as the dominant world power is slowly but surely loosing its grip. :roll:

_________________
Da-di-da-da-da


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 21 Jul 2014, 17:55 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: 12 Jun 2011, 14:21
Posts: 2579
The VLADIVOSTOK, a French built Mistral class amphibious assault ship, being completed and readied for handing over to the Russian Navy. The following report in the British press highlighted the arrival of Russian Navy personnel to start their training on the ship(s):-

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/j ... ps-ukraine

In light of the shooting down of a passenger plane, by what seems to be from Russian backed and sponsored militias in the Ukraine, there is now severe pressure building on the French to cancel this delivery.

Image
Vladivostok in St Nazaire port as seen in March 2014.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 22 Jul 2014, 05:02 
Offline

Joined: 08 Mar 2009, 05:05
Posts: 3549
Location: Canada
Tally-ho wrote:
In light of the shooting down of a passenger plane, by what seems to be from Russian backed and sponsored militias in the Ukraine, there is now severe pressure building on the French to cancel this delivery.

Not only that, they have backed the Russian rebels with weapons and volunteer rebels from Russia in Eastern Ukrain, and they invaded Crimea, all this in 2014.

And in the link provided above,
Quote:
However, Moscow has threatened to hit France with heavy financial penalties if it does not honour the deal.

Boy, they really know how to bully.
How about Russia paying penalties for what they have done in 2014 in the Ukrainian territory, and to surviving family members from that plane shot down?
That is provided that the rebels shot that plane down.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 22 Jul 2014, 17:16 
Offline

Joined: 20 Sep 2005, 16:12
Posts: 844
Nice pics Tally Ho.

Ships are built according to a contract.
It is a business contract.
There are penalties attached to contracts such as these.
Just like any other multi-billion business contract.

These are usually very, very expensive.

To add a massive further complication to these very expensive penalties, 40% of each of these Mistrals are built in Russia, with the mating of the French and Russian built sections then taking place after shipment from Russia to France.

The launching of the Russian 40% launched in St Petersburg in 2013.



Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: 22 Jul 2014, 18:02 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: 29 Jun 2004, 17:19
Posts: 8396
leading edge wrote:
Ships are built according to a contract.
It is a business contract.
There are penalties attached to contracts such as these.
Just like any other multi-billion business contract.


And just like any other business contract, there should be a force majeure clause to indemnify the contractor if he cannot deliver due to national or internation law preventing such contract fufillment.

_________________
How come every time my ship comes in, I'm at the airport?


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 269 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... 18  Next

All times are UTC + 2 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group