VOA标准英语2009年-France Considers Selling Warship to Russia

（单词翻译）

By Peter Fedynsky
Moscow
01 October 2009

France is considering the sale of a helicopter carrier ship to Russia that could provide Moscow with added offensive capabilities¹ at sea.

Speaking in Moscow, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defense² Minister Herve Morin confirmed speculation³ that France is considering the sale of a helicopter carrier to Russia. Both sides, however, noted⁴ no deal has been signed. Kouchner said there are a number of French administrative⁵ and political principles governing arms sales, particularly a ship as expensive as a helicopter carrier.

 
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (L) shakes hands with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner (C) center, and French Defense Minister Herve Morin (R) outside Moscow, 1 Oct 2009
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov indicated the two countries are now just consulting about the matter.

The defense chief says Russia has a whole set of questions it has put to the French, and is waiting for answers before it makes specific decisions. Serdyukov adds that Russia is not interested in one ship, but several.

The carrier under consideration belongs to the so-called Mistral Class of amphibious assault, command and projection⁶ ships. The 199-meter vessel⁷ can carry 16 helicopters and 450 troops for up to six months or about 700 for shorter periods.

Russian news media recently quoted naval⁸ commander Vladimir Vysotsky as saying the French warship⁹ would greatly increase the speed of Russian operations. He said a Mistral Class carrier would have accomplished¹⁰ certain tasks in 40 minutes that took Russia's Black Sea Fleet 26 hours during last year's conflict with Georgia.

Independent Russian military analyst¹¹ Pavel Felgenhauer told VOA that France will likely need to consult with allies to go ahead with the sale.

Felgenhauer says that almost every country that produces modern weapons uses some patents or know-how¹² from the United States. He says France will, therefore, consult with NATO and above all with Washington whether to sell or not to Russia and to what extent.

Moscow has indicated it may purchase one helicopter carrier and acquire licenses¹³ to build several more in Russian shipyards. Each ship costs an estimated $1 billion.