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MOSCOW (BNS): Russia is likely to issue a tender for the construction of two amphibious assault ships for its Navy during the Euronaval 2010 defence and maritime exhibition in Paris, according to a media report here.

Invitations to participate in the tender has been sent to all interested parties and the winner of the tender could be announced as early as by the end of this year, RIA Novosti said on Tuesday, citing a report in the Vedomosti daily.

The contenders for the bid include Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation in partnership with the French DCNS (Mistral class ship), the Nevski design bureau in St. Petersburg (Ivan Rogov class ship), South Korea’s STX company (Dokdo class ship), and Spain’s Navantia company (Juan Carlos I class ship), the report said.

The likely winner for the tender could be France with which Russia has been in talks for some time to procure the Mistral class warship.

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

The 21,300 tonne Mistral operates as a helicopter carrier and amphibious assault transporter. The warship can transport and deploy 16 helicopters, four landing barges, up to 70 armoured vehicles including 13 battle tanks, and 450 personnel.

Russia plans to equip the combat ships with its Ka-52 attack helicopters and deploy them in its Navy’s Northern and Pacific fleets.