France to provide two helicopter carriers to Egypt

France will provide the Egyptian navy with two Mistral helicopter carriers this summer, the country's ambassador to Cairo Andre Parant said at a press conference in the Egyptian capital on Monday. The ships were supposed to be sold to Russia in an arms deal but Paris cancelled the contract, paid Moscow a billion-dollar fine and sold them to the Egyptian navy instead. The carriers capable of amphibious operations can carry a total of 16 helicopters including attack helicopters and ones for anti-submarine warfare.