From RIA Novosti:  Talks between Russia and France on the purchase of Mistral class helicopter carriers have come to a dead end over Russia’s demands on the transfer and licensed production of sensitive electronics , a Russian defense industry source said on Friday.

Mistral class ships are equipped with a NATO-standard SENIT-9 naval tactical data system and SIC-21 fleet command system. France is strongly opposed to delivering the SENIT-9 to Russia with a production license, and apparently does not want to deliver the SIC-21 at all.

"The Russian side wants to get all advanced technologies together with the ship…and the future of the contract totally depends on whether France would agree to part with these systems," the source said. . . .

Russia completely replaced its team of negotiators on May 5 hoping to change the course of the talks by literally starting from scratch.  (photo: RIA Novosti)

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