Russian Navy to buy French ships...

[rrpilot]

Seems that some of Russia's neighbors are concerned about the Russian Navy purchasing a few french amphibious assault ships...I didn't even know the french built ships like this....Safe to assume they don't have the capability of the Wasp class?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_france_navy_ship

 

[jollygreen07]

Well, it might not have the capability of a WASP class, it is certainly alot better than what they have now. 40 minutes vice 26 hours is a pretty damned good improvement.

I'm just surprised that Russia has ZERO large amphibious assualt vessels. Even with their recent draw-down, it would seem prudent to have something with which to land troops on a large scale.

 

[Flash]

It's one thing to buy a nice toy, it's another to actually use it properly. If it is anything like how they operate the Kuznetsov it ain't too much to worry about. That is, unless you are Georgia.

 

[Coota0]

http://www.stratfor.com/amphibious_warships_real_east_asian_arms_race

This article gives a nice visual representation of some of the worlds Amphibious Assault Ships.

My question is, even if the Russians were to buy the Mistrel (and from what I read they would build more) what use would they be except in places where the Russians can provide land based air support?

 

[Fog]

The French ship is more similar to an LPD than an LHA, n'cest-pas?

 

[Flash]

My question is, even if the Russians were to buy the Mistrel (and from what I read they would build more) what use would they be except in places where the Russians can provide land based air support?

It gives them another option to move men and material. A good example is Georgia, where the vast majority of men and material going from Russia into South Ossetia has to go through a single tunnel. Cut the tunnel off and South Ossetia is isolated from Russia. An amphibious assault ship gives them another option and presents a big problem to whoever finds one sitting off their coast, you have to honor the threat.

It also gives them a platform from which to cruise around the world and take part in exercises, relief and contigency ops. Much like the French and the Brits and us do right now with our ships. Whether or not they can actually do that is another story.

 

[BigRed389]

It's one thing to buy a nice toy, it's another to actually use it properly. If it is anything like how they operate the Kuznetsov it ain't too much to worry about. That is, unless you are Georgia.

I've got a fellow JO who managed to cross deck to one of their DDs when they did a Black Sea cruise on a previous deployment.

<Terrible Russian accent>: In Soviet Russia, pier security keeps people IN!

They also tried to "interrogate" him to find out about US DDG ASW capabilities. Fortunately, at the time he was a stupid Ensign who didn't know anything.

 

[PropStop]

Well, it might not have the capability of a WASP class, it is certainly alot better than what they have now. 40 minutes vice 26 hours is a pretty damned good improvement.
.

No no, you misread it. 40min is how quickly it can load a retreating army.

 

[jollygreen07]

No no, you misread it. 40min is how quickly it can load a retreating army.

Shit! Yeah, that's what I meant to say.