Russia's top naval commander said the purchase of Mistral class warships from France would only go ahead if there was also a transfer of technology in the deal.
Saying there was "no point" in the deal if the transfer did not occur, he also made clear that it should include technology in shipbuilding and "other areas", reports AFP.
French President, Nicolas Sarkozy had apparently told workers at the French shipyard where the warships are to be built that the deal was all but certain.
Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one French-built Mistral-class ship and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.
Russia has been in talks over the sale of these US$750 million vessels, which would be the first significant addition of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) weaponry since the fall of communism in Russia.
The Russian military has said it plans to use Mistral ships in its Northern and Pacific fleets.
Source: AFP
