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The Mistral (L9013) is an amphibious assault helicopter carrier of the French Marine Nationale, the fourth vessel to bear the name, and lead ship of her class.
Characteristics For details on the ship, see Mistral class landing platform dock She is capable of deploying 16 NH90 or Tigre helicopters, four landing barges or two LCAC, and 70 vehicles, including 13-tank Leclerc batallion, with up to 450 soldiers (900 for a short period). She also feature important hospital capabilities, and is able to accommodate a general staff History The Mistral started her trials in January 2005, and was officially commissioned in February 2006. She departed from Toulon for her first long-range journey in March, sailing through the Mediteranean, Suez, the Red Sea, Djibouti and India, before returning to France. In July, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the context of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, France set up Opération Baliste. The Mistral is the flagship of the system off Lebanon, escorted by the frigates Jean Bart and Jean de Vienne, and along with the Siroco. Images Image:FS Mistral 03.jpg|Construction site of the Projection and Command vessel Mistral, being assembled in the dock n°9 of the Brest arsenal (10 September 2003) Image:FS Mistral 04.jpg|The bow block of the Projection and Command vessel Mistral has been convoyed to Brest after leaving the Chantiers de l'Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire on 17 July. The block then entered the watered pool n°9 where the aft block was. The assembly can now begin (19 July 2004). Image:FS Mistral 02.jpg|Launching of the Mistral Projection and Command vessel in Brest (6 October 2004) Image:FS Mistral 05.jpg|Launching of the Mistral Projection and Command vessel in Brest (6 October 2004) See also | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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