French specialist: Egypt can buy "Mistral" for the intervention in Yemen

Buying ships-docks of class "Mistral" Egypt will give this country the opportunity to intervene in Yemen, said on the first day of the weekend in the newspaper Liberation, a prominent French specialist Francois ASBUR, consultant of the Paris Foundation for strategic research.
"Egypt is now taking more and more significant initiatives in order to establish itself on the regional scene. Besides, This happens in terms of the danger that comes from Islamist armed groups operating in Libya and in the Sinai Peninsula. Proposed acquisition of ships of class "Mistral" Egypt will give this country the opportunity to intervene in Yemen, which is a key country for the entire southern zone of the red sea, " - said Asbar, reports news Agency.
at the same time, the expert recalled that regarding the sale of weapons to Egypt, France are forced to operate in conditions of severe competition from the United States." Despite the implementation of the Egypt of the French aircraft Rafale "we should not forget that a large part of the armament of the Egyptian army is an American production," he said. With own side fran?ois de Rugy - the people's Deputy of the National Assembly of the party "Europe Ecology - Green and member of the Council for the defence of the lower house of Parliament - in interview Liberation expressed the view that the purchase of "Mistral" Egypt is unlikely." I'm surprised that a country like Egypt will need to keep in the Mediterranean sea, such ships, " - said the expert. At the same time, he did not exclude the possibility of such contract." now France has 3 options regarding built for the Russian Federation " Mistral ". First, sell Them to the French army - but it wasn't necessary because she already has ships of this class. For this reason, this option was not considered. Secondly, to eliminate these ships, having passed Their disposal that certain military, albeit behind the scenes, but to recognize the best option. However, from a political point of view, such a move is invalid because it can cause potent harm to the image of France, " said de Rugy. The third way Is to resell the ships." However, in terms of weapons, this transition from one country to another is not simple. Especially when the story is about the ships built for the Russian Federation. Their modifications under the requirements of the new client will take a long time. Feasible, but will require substantial financial investment, " - said the expert." besides to pay for It will have France itself, as it is unlikely that the country of the buyer expresses the desire to Fund such work. This means that either part of the funds will be taken from the budget of the French Ministry of defense, or the Parliament will have to adopt the amendments to the nation's budget, on an emergency basis to allocate these funds ", - said the people's Deputy of the National Assembly." highly doubt It will happen in an atmosphere of transparency", he added. On the last working day of the week Senator in cases of French nationals abroad, member of the Council on foreign relations, defense and armed forces h?l?ne Conway-Mouret stated that the interest in acquiring built for the Russian Federation helicopter "Mistral" already showed Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Canada and Singapore. First reported that among the main potential buyers of "Mistral" is China. Similarly, in the list of potential candidates appeared Brazil, Canada, Egypt, or India. On Thursday, the head of the French Republic Francois Hollande said that Paris is without question will find buyers for 2 helicopter carrier type " Mistral ", built on the Russian request. Remember, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the head of the French Republic Francois Hollande on Wednesday agreed to halt the validity of the contract for construction and supply of 2 amphibious assault ships of the " Mistral ". The contract for production and delivery of 2 helicopter carrier, signed in 2011 by the French company DCNS and Rosoboronexport, was estimated at 1, 2 billion euros. Last year Paris at the time stopped the supply ships, for which he received the money, citing his disagreement with the policy of Russia in Ukraine. Opposing political force and the trade unions in France has criticized the President of the Fifth Republic for refusing to put Russia "Mistral" alleging pressure from the capital of the USA.


sections: Politics