The Russian navy has commenced search for suitable ports to base its new Mistral class docks/landing ships and suitable helicopters to fly from their decks.

Suitable rotorcraft models include navalised version of the Kamov Ka-52 reconnaissance and strike, the Ka-27 Helix anti-submarine warfare, and the Kamov Ka-31 radar picket helicopters. In future another Kamov model may be considered, a next generation naval helicopter modeled from the Ka-60 Kasatka, but somewhat downsized.

Special representatives of the navy’s headquarters have visited a number of bases operated by the Northern Fleet and the Pacific Fleet in a search for sea ports that will house the Mistral class ships in the future.

According to these representatives, the ships can get bases in Vladivostok and Severomorsk, but these bases need to be prepared. New docking and mooring facilities should be constructed, they said. A decision on basing of the Mistral class is yet to be made. Besides, the ships need to be equipped with proper anti-aircraft and anti-submarine protection, which is also a consideration for the navy’s headquarters.

The headquarters wants its future naval assets to be used, when necessary, during peacekeeping operations, landing of marines and rescue missions, and also for fighting piracy in the Indian ocean.

On December 24, 2010 Russia and France announced signing of the contract worth Euro 1.4 billion for construction of two Mistral class ships at a shipyard in France. Another pair will be built in Russia under license. Minimum lead cycle is estimated at 36 months.