AAD2014: DCNS markets the Mistral 140 in Africa
French shipbuilder DCNS is offering a smaller variant of the Mistral amphibious assault ship at the AAD exhibition in Pretoria, South Africa.
Despite a model of the Mistral 140 being prominently displayed on the DCNS stand, company representatives refused to speak to the media.
This version of the Mistral displaces 14,000t compared to the 21,500t of the full-sized BPC (Bâtiments de Projection et de Commandement) version built for France and, until recently, Russia. The variant is known as BPC 210.
Details were sparse, but the model shows five helicopter spots and a length of 170m – the full-size Mistral
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Frigates and submarines anchor Brazilian naval modernisation worth US$5.52 billion
Shipbuilding programmes established over the past decade are setting Brazil's course towards having one of the most modern navies in the region.
-
Subsea surveillance: why connecting military and civilian assets could be crucial
As costs rise and threats multiply, maritime awareness is shifting from platforms to networks, and civilian infrastructure plays a central role.
-
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
Partnerships will be critical for future projects at Latin American shipyards
Multiple Latin American navies are modernising their fleets by prioritising domestically manufactured surface vessels and even submarines via international partnerships.