Russia To Buy Two Warships From France

The Mistral can carry helicopters and armed forces

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said that Russia has agreed to purchase at least two French warships.

The French president's office released a statement that said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev had informed Sarkozy of the decision to buy two Mistral-class warships.

The Mistral can carry up to 16 helicopters and scores of armored vehicles.

Sarkozy's statement said the construction of the two warships for Russia "should be extended by the construction of two more."

compiled from agency reports