Russia will sign a deal with France to buy a Mistral-class helicopter carrier by the end of 2010, the head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation said on Wednesday, RIA Novosti reports.
Russia has agreed on the purchase of at least one Mistral-class amphibious assault ship, worth 400-500 million euros (around $540-$675 million) and plans to build three more vessels of the same class with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.
"The agreement on the purchase of Mistral-class ship is due be signed by the end of the year," Mikhail Dmitriev said.
He added that France believes a contract could be ready by September.
A Mistral-class ship is capable of transporting and deploying 16 helicopters and 450 personnel, as well as tanks and other equipment.
