High Maintenance Costs May Force France To Relocate Mistral Helicopter Carrier

The French Mistral helicopter carrier Vladivostok could be relocated from Saint-Nazaire to Brest Naval base due to high maintenance costs, Local media reported.

DCNS and STX shipyard operators are subject to port and maintenance fees of about $2.7 million. It is rumored that the companies might think of relocating the aircraft carrier to join the naval base in Brest, Le Telegramme reported Monday.

Controversy erupted with non delivery of the Mistral ships to Russia after US and allied European countries imposed sanctions against Moscow in regard to Ukraine conflicts. France was to deliver the ship in November last year.

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