Mistral-class Amphibious Assault Ships: Mini-Aircraft Carriers

 

France’s Mistral-class amphibious assault ships rank among the most advanced mini-aircraft carriers currently in use. The French Navy operates three of these helicopter carriers. Egypt is the only other country to have acquired two new Mistral-class ships.

In 2010, France struck a deal with Russia to build two Mistral-class vessels, each weighing 21,500 tons. The total cost was €1.37 billion, with Russia paying €840 million upfront. After Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions from the US and EU in 2014, France decided to suspend and eventually cancel the agreement.

France returned the technology it had received from Russia and fully refunded the payment, including compensation for damages. Seizing this opportunity, Egypt bought the two completed ships in 2015 for €960 million under favorable terms. They also purchased Russian Ka-52 attack helicopters to operate with these carriers.

The two ships joined the Egyptian Navy as:

ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser — June 2, 2016

ENS Anwar El Sadat — September 16, 2016

Each vessel can carry up to 70 military vehicles, accommodate 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters, and support around 1,500 personnel. With an operational range of 10,800 km, these ships are suitable for both combat missions and humanitarian efforts. There have long been rumors that Saudi Arabia might have secretly funded the purchase, but there’s no strong evidence to support this claim.

(Information and image collected)

Sherazur Rahman
Teacher and Writer
sherazbd@gmail.com