STX France has given its consent to United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) to the appointment of Baltic Plant - Shipbuilding (BZS, member of USC) as a builder of two floating blocks of two Mistral class helicopter carriers, the shipbuilding firm said.
STX France General Manager Laurent Castaing has announced the final position of the French company on April 16, 2012. To date, the French side has handed over to the Russian shipyard the metal-roll order. Now, Baltic Plant will invite bids to pick a metal supplier.
The shipyard plans to commence first steel-cutting for future Mistral on August 1st, 2012. Keel-laying ceremony is scheduled for October 1st. Steel-cutting for the second Mistral will be hold in May 2013, when a similar procedure is complete on the first ship.
In June 2011, Russia’s Rosoboronexport and the French DCNS signed a contract for two Mistral class landing ships for the Russian Ministry of Defense. USC was named as a subcontractor: the Corporation builds 24 hull blocks (aft of both ships), which represents 40% of its hulls. Then, the completed blocks will be transported to France, for further assembly at Saint-Nazaire Shipyard of the French amphibious assault ship.
LLC Baltic Plant-Shipbuilding" (BZS) is part of United Shipbuilding Corporation. The company was founded in late 2011 under the new brand name after the former company Baltic Plant broke due to poor management of the former owner.