‘Mistral’ Class Helicopter Carriers for the French and Russian Navies

• Dixmude (France)
• Vladivostok (Russia)
• Sevastopol (Russia)

Briefing

ACO Marine was awarded the contract for technical assistance, consultancy, manufacturing, and delivery of the complete system for collection, transfer and treatment of grey and black wastewater. Whilst a second French option was cancelled a deal was brokered between the French and Russian governments for STX France shipyard, in Saint-Nazaire, to supply two of these ‘Mistral’ class vessels to the Navy of the Russian Federation. There are also a further possible two options for the Russians yet to be confirmed.

Vessel description and role (Dixmude)

Based on displacement tonnage, the ‘Mistral’ class of Helicopter Carriers are the largest ships in the French Navy after the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ‘Charles de Gaulle’ aircraft carrier. The flight deck of each ship is approximately 6,400m² with six helicopter landing spots, one of which is capable of supporting a 33t helicopter. The 1,800m² hangar deck can hold 16 helicopters. The 885 m² well deck can accommodate four landing craft and are also capable of operating two LCAC hovercrafts.

They protect French and NATO global interests and the EU borders. The task set of ACO Marine required reliable equipment, to exacting military specifications, that meets the latest IMO standards for global operations coupled with maximum capacity effectiveness. ACO Marine, co-operating with the shipyard engineers, proposed the complete solution for on-board wastewater management.