Russia buys 2-door military helicopter in France

Russia has agreed to buy two ships military helicopters to a consortium led by French companies, said the Russian and French governments on Friday.

The deal was the first major agreement for the sale of arms from France to Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union.

After long negotiations it was decided that the assault helicopter carrier Mistral class will be built by French companies DCNS and STX with Russian state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation, known as OSK.

Some NATO allies the French had shown concern over the deal, signaling for France not to sell high-tech systems that could be used by Russia against ex-Soviet republics, especially after the Russians coming into conflict with neighboring Georgia in 2008.

The agreement includes an option to build two more carriers, the statement said.

The note did not report the value of the deal, but the helicopter-probably cost between 400 and 500 million euros each.

The acquisition is part of the plan by Russia to modernize its armed forces.