Plans to buy an expensive helicopter carrier...

The Russian military has announced that it was negotiating the purchase of a Mistral-class amphibious assault ship from France, worth 400-500 million euros (around $540-$675 million), and potentially building three or four vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS.

"Can"t we build ships ourselves anymore?" Svetlana Savitskaya, an MP from the communist faction, queried at a parliament session.

The former Soviet cosmonaut accused the government officials of lobbying the deal in favor of foreign manufacturers and said Russia had vast experience in manufacturing sophisticated military equipment, including ships and nuclear submarines.

"A slow process of purchases of military hardware abroad has started, which could have a negative impact on Russia"s defense potential," Savitskaya said, adding that Russia has already bought reconnaissance drones from Israel while domestic companies have not been able so far to develop comparable

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