Mistral (L9013) is an amphibious assault ship, a type of helicopter carrier, of the French Navy. She is the fourth vessel to bear the name, and is the lead ship of the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.

History:
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 Mediterranean, Suez, and the Red Sea to 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. Mistral was the flagship of the fleet unit off Lebanon, escorted by the frigates Jean Bart and Jean de Vienne, and along with Siroco.

On 16 May 2008, the Burmese UN ambassador accused France of deploying Mistral to the Burmese coast for military purposes. The French UN ambassador denied this, stating that she was instead carrying 1,500 tons of relief supplies.^[1]

In February 2010 it was announced that France had agreed to sell Russia a Mistral-class vessel with a potential option for three more vessels.^[2] On 17 June 2011, Russia and France signed $1.7bln deal for two Mistralclass vessels.^[3]

In March 2011 she was deployed to Libyan waters to help aid the joint NATO effort to repatriate tens of thousands of Egyptian refugees fleeing the violence in Libya.^[4]

In January 2013, escorted by Chevalier Paul, Mistral took part in the ill-fated operation to retrieve Denis Allex,^[5] a DGSE officer held hostage in Bulo Marer.

Stats:
Dimensions: 199m in lengh
32m wide
6.3m underwater
64.3m above water

Displacement: 16 500 tons (light)
21 300 t (full charge)
32 300 t (with full ballast)

Propulsion: 3 main diesel engines and 1 auxillary diesel engine generating 20 400 horsepower allowing the colbert to go up to 18,8 knots.

Range: 10 800 nautical miles at 18 knots
19 800 nautical miles at 15 knots

Armament: 2 Ground to Air missie system "SIMBAD"
2 Narwhal 20mm cannon
4 12.7mm Browning machineguns
2 7.62mm M134 minigun

Aircrafts: Up to 16 aircrafts stored in the hangar

Speciality: 500 additional troops for beach landings or 200 high command staff and 300 soldiers
It can carry up to 140 vehicles, or 59 heavy armoured vehicle (with a full squadron of Leclerc tanks) in its 2650 m² hangar The Mistral also bring with it 4 medium size landing crafts or 1 large size landing craft and 2 medium size landing craft.

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