French ship Mistral (L9013)
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| Mistral Mistral preparing for the celebrations of the 8th of May 2009 | |
| Career (France) |  |
|---|---|
| Namesake: | Wind Mistral |
| Builder: | Arsenal de Brest, Chantiers de Saint-Nazaire |
| Laid down: |
10 July 2003 (aft part in Brest) |
| Launched: | 6 October 2004 in Brest |
| Commissioned: | December 2005 |
| Homeport: | Toulon |
| Fate: | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Mistral-class amphibious assault ship |
| Displacement: |
16,500 t (empty) |
| Length: | 199 m |
| Beam: | 32 m |
| Draught: | 6,3 m |
| Propulsion: |
Motorisation : 2 Mermaïd electric motors (2 × 7 MW) 2 5-bladed propellers Electrical plant: 4 Wärtsilä diesels-alternators 16 V32 (6,2 MW) + 1 Wärtsilä Vasaa auxiliary diesel-alternator 18V200 (3 MW) |
| Speed: | 18.8 knots |
| Range: |
10,800 km at 18 knots 19,800 km at 15 knots |
| Capacity: | 2 barges, one Leclerc battalion, 70 vehicles |
| Complement: | 20 officers, 80 petty officers, 60 Quarter-masters, 450 passengers (900 for a short cruise), 150 men operational headquarter |
| Armament: |
2 Simbad systems |
| Aircraft carried: | 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters |
The Mistral (L9013) is an amphibious assault ship a type of helicopter carrier of the French Navy, the fourth vessel to bear the name, and lead ship of her class.
History
The Mistral started her trials in January 2005, and was officially commissioned in February 2006. She departed from Toulon for her first long-range journey in March, sailing through the Mediterranean, Suez, and the Red Sea to Djibouti and India, before returning to France.
In July, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the context of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, France set up Opération Baliste. The Mistral is the flagship of the system off Lebanon, escorted by the frigates Jean Bart and Jean de Vienne, and along with the Siroco.
On 16 May 2008, the Burmese UN ambassador accused France of deploying the Mistral to the Burmese coast for military purposes, which the French UN ambassador denied, stating that she was instead carrying 1,500 tons of relief supplies. [1]
In February 2010 it was announced that France had agreed to sell Russia a Mistral with a potential option for three more vessels.[2]
Images
- FS Mistral 03.jpg
Construction site of the Projection and Command vessel Mistral, being assembled in the dock n°9 of the Brest arsenal (10 September 2003)
- FS Mistral 04.jpg
The bow block of the Projection and Command vessel Mistral has been convoyed to Brest after leaving the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire on 17 July. The block then entered the watered pool n°9 where the aft block was. The assembly can now begin (19 July 2004).
- FS Mistral 02.jpg
Launching of the Mistral Projection and Command vessel in Brest (6 October 2004)
- FS Mistral 05.jpg
Launching of the Mistral Projection and Command vessel in Brest (6 October 2004)
References
See also
- List of ship launches in 2004
- List of ship commissionings in 2005
- French ship Mistral for other ships of the name.
External links
- (French) BPC Mistral Force Projection and Command Ship Mistral on Alabordache
- (French) BPC Mistral Force Projection and Command Ship Mistral
ko:미스트랄 (L9013) ka:მისტრალი (სადესანტო ხომალდი) ja:ミストラル (強襲揚陸艦) vi:Mistral (L9013) ru:Мистраль (десантный корабль)
