From RIA Novosti:  Russia is interested in purchasing Mistral class amphibious assault ships from France only together with the accompanying technology, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on the eve of a visit to France.

Russia is negotiating the purchase of at least one French-built Mistral-class amphibious assault ship and plans to build three more vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.

"For us, this deal is interesting only if it is accomplished with a parallel transfer of technology, so that our shipbuilders – both civilian and military – receive a new technological boost for development," Putin said in an interview with Agence France Presse and France 2 TV.

The prime minister, who will visit France on Thursday and Friday, also said that "cooperation in a field as sensitive as military-industrial manufacturing, of course, leads to higher trust between countries."  (photo: Getty)

Image: 6%209%2010%20getty%20%20Vladimir%20Putin%20AFP%20France%202.preview.jpg