'Mistral' Warship for Sale

Nov. 25, 2009: People line up for their turn to visit the Mistral French amphibious assault ship docked on the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia. The ship that Russia wants to buy, The Mistral opened herself up for visitors Wednesday and some hundreds of people queued up for hours to board the ship capable of carrying 16 helicopters and dozens of armored vehicles. (AP)

Nov. 23, 2009: Seamen walk past as the Mistral French amphibious helicopter carrier docks on the Neva River in St. Petersburg. Russia's Navy Main Staff confirmed that ship might be purchased for the Russian naval forces Itar-Tass news agency reported.  (Reuters)

Nov. 24, 2009: People pass by the Mistral French amphibious assault ship docked on the Neva River in downtown St. Petersburg, Russia. The cutting-edge French warship sailed into St. Petersburg Monday to show off its capabilities to potential buyers in the Russian navy, whose pursuit of an amphibious assault capacity is frightening some neighboring countries.  (AP)

Nov. 26, 2009: An amphibious Mistral-class French helicopter carrier docks on the Neva River in St. Petersburg.. The main staff of Russia's Navy confirmed that the ship might be purchased for Russian naval forces, Itar-Tass news agency reported. (Reuters)

Nov. 23, 2009: A Russian Navy seaman looks at the French Navy's Mistral amphibious assault ship docked on the Neva River in central St. Petersburg, Russia. A French navy ship of the type that Russia hopes to buy arrived Monday for a visit to St. Petersburg, fueling concern in Georgia and other ex-Soviet nations that it may be used to intimidate its neighbors.  (AP)

June 13, 2009: French Navy ship "Mistral" sails in the search area of Air France's Flight 447 in the Atlantic ocean.  (AP)

May 8, 2009: The assault ship "Le Mistral" is anchored in the background as France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks at La Nartelle beach, Sainte Maxime, during the Armistice ceremony commemorating the 64th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. (Reuters)

June 14, 2009: Brazilian helicopter lands onto French warship "Mistral" during searches Thursday for debris of the Air France plane that crashed in the Atlantic Ocean.  (AP)

June 13, 2009: Two helicopters taking part in the search, are seen on the deck of French Navy ship "Mistral", as French Navy vessel "Ventose" is seen in background right, in the search area of Air France's Flight 447 in the Atlantic ocean.  (AP)

In this photo released by Brazil's Navy, Brazilian tanker "Almirante Gastao Motta", left, and French Navy ship "Mistral" are seen during search operations for victims of the Air France flight 447 in the Atlantic ocean, Saturday, June 13, 2009. A burst of automatic messages sent by the Air France jet before it crashed includes one about a problem with a rudder safety device but lacks decisive clues as to what sent the jet plunging into the Atlantic Ocean two weeks ago, an aviation expert said Saturday.(AP Photo/Brazil's Navy) ** NO SALES ** (AP)

May 8, 2009: The assault ship Le Mistral is anchored in the background as France's President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks at La Nartelle beach, Sainte Maxime, during the Armistice ceremony commemorating the 64th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. 

May 9, 2009: France's President Nicolas Sarkozy reviews troops aboard the Mistral, anchored off Sainte Maxime during the Armistice celebrations to mark the end of World War Two. (Reuters)

November 26, 2009: An amphibious Mistral-class French helicopter carrier docks on the Neva River in St. Petersburg. The main staff of Russia's Navy confirmed that the ship might be purchased for Russian naval forces, Itar-Tass news agency reported.  (Reuters)

Nov. 23, 2009: The Mistral French amphibious assault ship/helicopter carrier/hospital ship docks on the Neva River in downtown St. Petersburg, Russia, with one of the city landmarks, St. Isaac's Cathedral, in the background. Russia is planning to buy a Mistral-class ship from France. Russian Navy and defense industry experts are expected to inspect the ship during the visit. (AP)