Helicopters first
United Shipbuilding Corporation succeeded in lobbying the possibility of placing orders for the construction of Mistral class helicopter carriers at the Russian shipyards, initially to be purchased in France. The Petersburg's Admiralty Shipyards is actively making bids for the order ".
Mistral helicopters like hot cakes
Originally, the Mistral class warships capable to carry 16 helicopter gunships on board, were planned to be ordered on French enterprises without competitive bidding, but the protest of Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation seemed to take effect.
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reportedly said in an interview with journalists that Russia had already announced an international tender for contract for two Mistral type helicopter carriers. The Minister said that Moscow had been already negotiating with their French counterparts on the sale of one warship and the construction of two more vessels at Russian shipyards. Nevertheless, Mr. Sedyukov said, Russia was ready to consider other proposals. The Minister also noted that the winner would be picked by the end of this year.
A meeting for consideration preliminary proposals is scheduled to be held this September in Kaliningrad.
There are several Russian shipbuilding companies who would be willing to compete for the warship contract, such as Admiralty Shipyards, the Far East Plant Zvezda (jointly with the South Korean Daewoo Marine Shipbuilding & Engineering), Baltiysky Shipyard Yantar (part of USC). Among the foreign shipyards, French, Dutch and Korean shipyards are said to participate in the bidding for contract.
Mistral helicopters like hot cakes
Originally, the Mistral class warships capable to carry 16 helicopter gunships on board, were planned to be ordered on French enterprises without competitive bidding, but the protest of Russian United Shipbuilding Corporation seemed to take effect.
Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov reportedly said in an interview with journalists that Russia had already announced an international tender for contract for two Mistral type helicopter carriers. The Minister said that Moscow had been already negotiating with their French counterparts on the sale of one warship and the construction of two more vessels at Russian shipyards. Nevertheless, Mr. Sedyukov said, Russia was ready to consider other proposals. The Minister also noted that the winner would be picked by the end of this year.
A meeting for consideration preliminary proposals is scheduled to be held this September in Kaliningrad.
There are several Russian shipbuilding companies who would be willing to compete for the warship contract, such as Admiralty Shipyards, the Far East Plant Zvezda (jointly with the South Korean Daewoo Marine Shipbuilding & Engineering), Baltiysky Shipyard Yantar (part of USC). Among the foreign shipyards, French, Dutch and Korean shipyards are said to participate in the bidding for contract.
Petersburg tankers
Admiralty Shipyards company would want to win the contract and get funds, particularly, for relocation of its production capacities from St. Petersburg to the Kotlin Island, which must be completed before 2015. USC says the warship contract’s cost would be something around $500 million
As Admiralty Shipyard’s CEO Vladimir Alexandrov said in an interview with journalists the company would not need additional investments and has everything for the fulfillment of this order. The enterprise is well experienced in building the forth generation tankers that allow construction of the helicopter carrier as well. "The main power plant, used in oil tankers built by our company is similar to that that is installed on Mistral, so we will not have any problems in terms of energy,” said Vladimir Alexandrov. “In terms of tonnage and steel grades characteristics the warships is also similar to tankers specifics”. In his opinion, the Mistral does not have any technical "highlights" that would not be available to domestic shipbuilders, and on some parameters (eg, technology, painting), this order is even easier than the construction of tankers.
At the same time, the company will need a year to prepare, plus from 38 to 42 months required for the ship construction. So, if the company wins and completes the order it will be exactly by 2015, the date of its exodus to Kotlin.
According to the French media, France does not see any reason for concern and is confident that orders will be placed on its enterprises that offer the contract implementation in a shorter time and for less money.
The French optimism is well grounded - apparently, the Russian Government needs the helicopter carriers for some certain political objectives (eg, pressure on Georgia) right now. So, why wait to have them build at Russian shipyards. On the other hand, in this case there a contradiction between the asserted plans for the development of domestic shipbuilding and real policy of placing orders, so that the authorities will have to make hard choices between political ambitions on the former Soviet Union space and tasks for development of Russia’s own economy.
Vitaly Chernov.
Admiralty Shipyards company would want to win the contract and get funds, particularly, for relocation of its production capacities from St. Petersburg to the Kotlin Island, which must be completed before 2015. USC says the warship contract’s cost would be something around $500 million
As Admiralty Shipyard’s CEO Vladimir Alexandrov said in an interview with journalists the company would not need additional investments and has everything for the fulfillment of this order. The enterprise is well experienced in building the forth generation tankers that allow construction of the helicopter carrier as well. "The main power plant, used in oil tankers built by our company is similar to that that is installed on Mistral, so we will not have any problems in terms of energy,” said Vladimir Alexandrov. “In terms of tonnage and steel grades characteristics the warships is also similar to tankers specifics”. In his opinion, the Mistral does not have any technical "highlights" that would not be available to domestic shipbuilders, and on some parameters (eg, technology, painting), this order is even easier than the construction of tankers.
At the same time, the company will need a year to prepare, plus from 38 to 42 months required for the ship construction. So, if the company wins and completes the order it will be exactly by 2015, the date of its exodus to Kotlin.
According to the French media, France does not see any reason for concern and is confident that orders will be placed on its enterprises that offer the contract implementation in a shorter time and for less money.
The French optimism is well grounded - apparently, the Russian Government needs the helicopter carriers for some certain political objectives (eg, pressure on Georgia) right now. So, why wait to have them build at Russian shipyards. On the other hand, in this case there a contradiction between the asserted plans for the development of domestic shipbuilding and real policy of placing orders, so that the authorities will have to make hard choices between political ambitions on the former Soviet Union space and tasks for development of Russia’s own economy.
Vitaly Chernov.