Mistral

Egypt has inked a deal to buy two helicopter carriers originally built by France for Russia before their sale was scrapped over the Ukraine crisis.

French president upbeat about prospects for sale of two warships after deal with Russia was formally ended.

France will fully refund Russia for the two helicopter carriers, for which Moscow made an advance payment of about €840m.

Despite claims in Moscow, French president François Hollande insists there is 'no deal yet' with Russia over non-delivery of Mistral ships.

Senior Kremlin official says 'everything has been decided' over how much France will pay Russia for non-delivery of two Mistral warships.

The Russian compensation claim for the French-built helicopter carriers, blocked over Ukraine crisis, is well below France's offer of 785m euros.

Rare visit to Shanghai by French navy Mistral-class helicopter carrier prompts conjecture over deal on undelivered sister ships built for Russia.

Delivery of first helicopter carrier was due last year but deal was put on hold after Russia’s role in Ukraine crisis led to EU sanctions.

The Russian leader said he sought only to recover outlay on the French-built warships, a 1.2-billion-euro deal suspended over the Ukraine crisis.

French shipbuilder DCNS said the 400 sailors training on a helicopter carrier that France is refusing to deliver to Russia would soon return home.

France has hinted that Ukraine crisis will delay delivery due this month to Russia of the first of two French-built Mistral helicopter carriers.

France says conditions are 'not right' for delivery of first of two Mistral navy assault ships, blaming Moscow's recent actions in Ukraine.

Around 400 Russian sailors are in France for training on warship that France is selling to Russia despite US concern over Ukraine crisis.

Despite calls from US and other nations to scrap or suspend deal, France will train Russian sailors later this month in how to operate new ships.