Mistral warships to be delivered to Egypt in the first half of 2016

France is to deliver two Mistral warships most likely in the first half of the 2016, the French ambassador to Egypt told state news agency MENA Monday.

Andre Baran said that France is about finalise all issues related to the deal but he believes that the delivery of the warships will not take place before the end of 2015.

Egypt signed the deal with France to buy the two Mistral warships at a joint press conference in early October.

The conference was attended by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Egyptian Defence Minister Sedky Sobhi and French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

A French delegation arrived to Egypt ahead of the deal, including French Prime Minister Manuel Valls as well as 63 diplomats and journalists.

The two Mistral warships were originally built by France for Russia before the sale was scrapped because of the Ukraine crisis.

source: Ahram Online