The FS Mistral is typically staffed by over 180 crew made up of officers and sailors. An additional 450 personnel can be carried aboard as required - particularly under full combat load when supporting an amphibious assault or during relief operations. She is an electrically-powered vessel (the first all-electric propulsion military vessel anywhere in the world) and, as such, her propulsion system is made up of 2 x Mermaid electric motors with 3 x Finnish Wartsila 16V32 series diesel generators as well as 1 x Wartsila Vaasa 18V200 auxiliary diesel-generator. Propulsion is accomplished by way of 2 x Alstom nacelle PODs - Propulsion Orientable Drives - along the stern undersides and a azimuth bow thruster. All this drives power to two engine pods at the stern and delivers a top speed of approximately 19 knots in ideal conditions. Of note structurally is use of fold-out stabilizer fins fitted along each ship side, under the waterline at amidships.
Vessels such as the Mistral are primarily designed as "heavy haulers" at sea, designed to support an amphibious landing assault. As such, the vessel can carry a 13 main battle tanks along with some 60 other armored, logistical and support vehicles. The air arm of the Mistral consists of a mix of various helicopter types which can range from up to 35 light-class helicopters to 16 heavy-class models - all intended to support beach landings or evacuations. In terms of support ships, the Mistral can send out two LCAC hovercraft or four standard landing craft.
The Mistral is defensed by a small collection of armament, to which she relies mostly on supporting warships (such as missile frigates) for heavy outlying protection. Primary ranged defense is 2 x MBDA France Simbad Mistral surface-to-air missiles (one launcher fitted at the bow and the other at the stern). These are backed by 2 x 30mm Breda-Mauser Dual-Purpose cannons (one fitted at the bow and the other at the stern). Close-in defense is provided by up to 4 x 12.7mm Browning M2HB heavy machine guns suitable for attacking low-flying aircraft or light-armored surface targets. The Thales ARBR 21 series radar warning receiver suite manages incoming threats to the ship. Surveillance is by a Thales Naval France MMR-3D NG G-band multirole radar faiclity.
To date, the Mistral has been utilized in a few high profile situations. Less than a year since being put out to sea, the Mistral was sent to the Middle East to assist in the evacuation of Europeans (mostly French) from the Lebanon-Israeli warfront of July 2006. During the action, the French Navy enacted "Operation Baliste" (in reference to the sea-going "Balistidae" family, as in "Triggerfish"). By August, some 14,500 to 15,000 persons were safely relocated. Similarly, in 2011, the Mistral took part in the relocation of refugees attempted to evacuate the fighting in Libya which, by that time, had become a brutal conflict that ultimately led to the death of long-time reigning dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The French design has also garnered some overseas interest that is noteworthy. In early February of 2010, Russian authorities agreed to a deal with the French government in which at least two Mistral-class vessels would be constructed and delivered to the Russian Navy. Construction will involve both DCN and the Russian United Ship Building Corporation. The deal also included an option for two more such vessels if requested at a later date. The agreement was finalized in the summer of the following year though it will be several years before the vessel is officially completed, delivered, evaluated and presented for formal service. It is expected that the first will be made ready for 2014 with the second following in 2015.
October 2016 - Due to the ongoing crisis between Ukraine and Russia, the two Mistral-class warships destined for the Russian Navy have been sold off to the Egyptian Navy instead. They serve as ENS Gamal Abdel Nasser (L1010) and ENS Anwar El Sadat (L1020).
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