The First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Navy, Admiral Oleg Burtsev, has said that Russia has not given up on its intention to purchase the 'Mistral', a helicopter carrier, from the French Navy.
Speaking at a press conference, Admiral Burtsev told journalists that this decision was a "principal importance to Russian naval policy". He said that Russia planned to study the vessel and then design and build the same vessel. He added that the vessels would be deployed in the Northern and Pacific fleets and would be engaged in peace-keeping and anti-pirate missions.
