REUTERS
Russia is planning to offer future buyers of French-built Mistral helicopter carrier assault ships to purchase specially made for this model Ka-52K attack helicopters, according to the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
If buyers refuse purchasing a batch of Ka-52K helicopters along with the ships, the Russian side may resort to the veto and to impose it on the whole deal, according to a Kommersant source.
It is noted that such countries as India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Egypt may become potential buyers of Mistrals.
According to sources, the Russian side is considering the statements of the French authorities about the imminent sale of ships as "not having reliable grounds," while recognizing that some countries are interested in their purchase.
As UNIAN earlier reported, France paid EUR 950 million to Russia as a result of termination of the Mistral contract, according to foreign media.