Ace of Spades HQ

March 05, 2014

Great: France to Unveil New Amphibious Assault Ships Sold to Russia Today
— Ace

From @drewmtips, via Missilito, this report in French from Le Point.

During the crisis, business continues. The First of two big warships bought in 2011 by Russia from France, the helicopter-carrier Vladisvostok is ready for action. If all goes as planned, a demonstration symbolic but powerful of the military solidarity between Paris and Moscow will be given Wednesday, March 5, at 6:30 pm, when the brand-new helicopter carrier will leave the Joubert drydock at the port of Saint-Nazaire to speed straight out into the open sea...

The Vladivostok is due for an October 2014 delivery (France is testing it today), and the second ship, identical to the first, is due for delivery in 2015.

The second ship is named the Sevastopol -- after the Crimean port so beloved by Putin.

The article concludes:

Our request for information about the official position of Paris on the status of these two ships have not been answered. The minister of foreign affairs, Laurent Fabius has said, at the beginning of the week, concerning a change in military cooperation between France and Russia: "We are not there yet." At the ministry of defense, it is said that the situation is "under study." But Moscow is giving some reasons for the French to think deeply about this, particularly the current order for construction of two more ships of the same type. At 600 million Euros per ship, this causes some serious consideration! For the moment, Paris says nothing. What is the saying...? Oh yes: The customer is always right.

The Vladivostok (I think)

I think it's pretty awesome that the French are showing off their military solidarity with Putin.

Posted by: Ace at 11:25 AM | Comments (177)
Post contains 298 words, total size 2 kb.

1 le laff

Posted by: soothsayer at March 05, 2014 11:28 AM (W6Jq2)

2 Birds of a feather.

Posted by: Minnfidel at March 05, 2014 11:28 AM (gLjvy)

3 Container ship?

Posted by: rickb223 at March 05, 2014 11:28 AM (Lx4UN)

4 Second look at withdrawing from NATO?

Posted by: rickl at March 05, 2014 11:28 AM (zoehZ)

5 I think it's pretty awesome that the French are showing off their military solidarity with Putin.

I guess it's France's way of surrendering early.

Posted by: physics geek at March 05, 2014 11:28 AM (MT22W)

6 Is that a Lego battleship?

Posted by: soothsayer at March 05, 2014 11:29 AM (W6Jq2)

7 Yep, this isn't the only deal France has with Russia.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 11:29 AM (IXrOn)

8 French "assault" ships? That's got to be a joke, right? Bet they come with the white flag permanently installed.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (7ObY1)

9 Why are the Russians buying ships from the French? Don't they make their own?

Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (GQ8sn)

10 And I'm giving a speech in Paris right now! Ha!

Posted by: Horse face at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (Aif/5)

11 So like France has to make money by selling weapons to the enemy? I mean and 90% tax on the rich is not enough? Or have all the rich left France?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (nzKvP)

12 I think it's pretty awesome that the French are showing off their military solidarity with Putin. ************ Well what the hell when Germany and Japan are showing their economic solidarity off.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (RJMhd)

13 That thing can do 30 knots - in reverse

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (eoeps)

14 Yeah, but do those New Amphibious Assault Ships come with shaded boulevards?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (HVff2)

15 Let's hope the French built these ships to the same standard of quality as the Charles de Gaulle.

Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (RD7QR)

16 OT: Mass. High Court: Subway Upskirt Photos Not Illegal http://tinyurl.com/qd64g5m

Posted by: The Political Hat at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (XvHmy)

17 Follow the fromage.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (6IVXX)

18 le flag blanc

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (7ObY1)

19 Yeah, Europe isn't gonna do jack. UK won't do anything that hurts the finance biz in London, France wants to sell warships, everybody else wants cheap gas.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (ZPrif)

20 Will these french ships like really work or only be for show like the french aircraft carrier?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (nzKvP)

21 And you fools think the communists LOST the Cold War.

Posted by: zombie at March 05, 2014 11:30 AM (mizYg)

22 Barky sings Crimea a river on Oprah later thus week.

Posted by: Killerdog at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (bO0hR)

23
Its not personal, its just business.

Posted by: Don Corleone le français at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (gorVZ)

24 Do you know why taking pics up girls' skirts is okay with MA's leftist Supreme Court? Because it's ab-normal. We live in Ab-Normal times.

Posted by: soothsayer at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (W6Jq2)

25 Let me guess, the ships have five reverse gears and one forward. In case the enemy gets behind them.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (bb5+k)

26 Let's hope the French built these ships to the same standard of quality as the Charles de Gaulle. Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 03:30 PM (RD7QR) touche you bet me to it

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (nzKvP)

27 French warships?

White flag comes standard?

Posted by: Vortex Lovera at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (wtvvX)

28 The French government is run by Marxists so its no shock that they would cosey up to Pooty.

Posted by: Judge Pug at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (6Nj7A)

29 Upskirt Photos Not Illegal Yes!

Posted by: Marv Albert at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (6IVXX)

30 They should have named one of the ships, "Reset".

Posted by: Dang at March 05, 2014 11:31 AM (MNq6o)

31 It's OK. France is on our side.

Posted by: Exocet Missiles in the Falklands at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (A0sHn)

32 Damn, what a weirdly shaped ship. How any amphibians does it hold?

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (ZshNr)

33 22 Barky sings Crimea a river on Oprah later thus week. Obummer always runs to Orcah when he's sensing he's in trouble. Oops, I forgot to capitalize He when speaking of Dear Leader. Sorry, NSA.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (7ObY1)

34 9 Why are the Russians buying ships from the French? Don't they make their own?

Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 03:30 PM (GQ8sn)

Not as well, and not as quickly. I kid about the Charles de Gaulle but the French are exemplars of quality shipbuilding compared to the Russians.

Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (RD7QR)

35 The emphasize the French military genius, they should rename the ship as the SS Maginot Line.

Posted by: zombie at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (mizYg)

36 Pffft. When they have an airbase with troops that stages drag queen concerts then talk to me. (hint - the Japanese navy commercial thinks that's truly ghey.)

Posted by: RWC at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (fWAjv)

37 Someone put a Greenpeace flag on those boats so that the French commandos will sink them.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (/Crba)

38 It's made entirely from Day Old Baguette.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 11:32 AM (6IVXX)

39 9 Why are the Russians buying ships from the French? Don't they make their own? Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 03:30 PM (GQ8sn) Might be part of a larger attempt to create influence in an Important European state. Of all the nations most likely to interfere with what the rest of Europe might want to do, I would expect France to be the one.

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 11:33 AM (bb5+k)

40 Well, crap.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Redneck Queen at March 05, 2014 11:33 AM (baL2B)

41 What do you expect them to do? Rely on Obama and John Kerry or go with a winner?

Posted by: ejo at March 05, 2014 11:33 AM (GXvSO)

42

But how will this impact the gays and trangendered?

Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Christies at March 05, 2014 11:33 AM (xggaJ)

43 Not as well, and not as quickly.

Even without taking the whole month of August off?

Posted by: HR at March 05, 2014 11:33 AM (ZKzrr)

44 That is a truly amphibious ship. Upon beaching it immediately becomes low income housing.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (ZshNr)

45 They should name one The Moochelle, hell the name alone would strike fear in lunch eating 6th graders world wide.

Posted by: Killerdog at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (bO0hR)

46 So are they trying to cut the middle man (crimeans and Ukrainians out) of the breadbasket oil deal?

Posted by: willow at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (nqBYe)

47 Aren't the french the ones who built an aircraft carrier that couldn't even make it out of port?

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (4df7R)

48 And in the same vein, obama is cutting 200 million formally promised to Israel for Missile Shield development. See that's how it works: obama authorizes the money before his election to Israel and then when no one is looking he shit cans it. And the fuck is also taking credit for the seizure of the iranian arms by the Israeli Navy.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (nzKvP)

49 I guess they've determined that Russia/Putin is the "strong horse," n'est ce pas?

Posted by: Lizzy at March 05, 2014 11:34 AM (aq/zi)

50 *falls over*

*spontaneously combusts*

Posted by: Vladivostok[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (P7Wsr)

51 the Mirage ain't a bad fighter; the Israelis copied the Swiss version, down to the last nut and bolt. Frogs also build good ships, as someone noted above

German troops rode to the outskirts of Moscow in 1941; French troops got there on foot a while earlier

Posted by: Jules ( turning Chinese ). clever, mean, and egotistical at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (omBWL)

52 If they deploy the damn thing with French helicopters, we've nothing to be concerned about.

Posted by: Fritz at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (PnMCP)

53 38 It's made entirely from Day Old Baguette. --- This harkens back to the ancient traditions of my village... jousting on bicycles using six-foot long petrified baguettes while chanting our war cry, "Haw haw haw!" Alas, my eternal rival Black Pierre ended up killing my father in one such duel by diving out of the way and hitting the spokes of his bicycle with a crossaint.

Posted by: The Frenchman of The Boys at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (/Crba)

54 43 Not as well, and not as quickly.

Even without taking the whole month of August off?

Posted by: HR at March 05, 2014 03:33 PM (ZKzrr)

The Russians take off most of the days in months ending in Y and R. While standing in place.

Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (RD7QR)

55 French commandos... mon Dieu, that just doesn't flicker in my brain.

Triple Entente, assemble! If I were an Austro-Hungarian archduke, I'd curtail my travel to the Balkans.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (Ec6wH)

56 45 They should name one The Moochelle, hell the name alone would strike fear in lunch eating 6th graders world wide. The Moochelle was bottom heavy. Sunk like a stone on it's first trial run.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (7ObY1)

57 Europe is lost. Too bad. It's a shame now that I spent so many cold nights patrolling the east/west border fence. I could have been here at home getting laid and getting an education.

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (pHRUK)

58 Wow. Ill bet the radar cross section of that this is HUGE !

Just like the Chinese "Hotel" Liaoning aka TAKR Riga, its a Navy Cross waiting to happen.

Any of our Navy pals on the "smart military blog" care to comment ?

Posted by: Chairman Mow at March 05, 2014 11:35 AM (BoGvE)

59 It looks like it's getting ready to go all Dominique Strauss Kahn on that little Tug.

Posted by: garrett at March 05, 2014 11:36 AM (6IVXX)

60 Lizzy, i guess they are as hornorable as our administration. Hey remember you guys finding independance from mother Russia and we'd support you? yeah well we lie. a lot.

Posted by: willow at March 05, 2014 11:36 AM (nqBYe)

61 That's not an assault ship. That's a huge honkin' radar target.

Easy money.

Posted by: RGM-84 Harpoon at March 05, 2014 11:36 AM (qjaON)

62 Aren't the french the ones who built an aircraft carrier that couldn't even make it out of port? --- Please elaborate. This sounds like a Polish joke come to life.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 05, 2014 11:36 AM (/Crba)

63 PutinÂ’s capacity to create personal friendships with important political leaders is quite undisputed. A particularly high profile case has occurred in Germany, when former German Chancellor Gerard Schroeder was nominated Chairman of Nord Stream AG, the enterprise in charge of building a natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea, from Russian territory directly to Germany. The project, which was quite controversial for geopolitical reasons, has become a symbol of PutinÂ’s ability to play divide et impera with EU members. Amongst the European corporations involved in building or financing the pipeline, there are Britain's Rolls Royce, Italy's Snam, France's GDF Suez and Holland's Gasunie. Gazprom and the Kremlin have constantly worked to exclude the eastern European countries from the pipeline. http://tinyurl.com/p8ezswv

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 11:36 AM (IXrOn)

64 Any of our Navy pals on the "smart military blog" care to comment ? Posted by: Chairman Mow at March 05, 2014 03:35 PM (BoGvE) Looks like a lot or right angles to me

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 05, 2014 11:37 AM (nzKvP)

65 Non, non, zees ees not le assault ship, mon dieu. Zees is a salt ship. We are needing beucoup salt for our escargots, oui?

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 11:37 AM (7ObY1)

66 The ship has such advanced French technology that it can surrender on its own

Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 05, 2014 11:37 AM (1Jaio)

67 France will weapons to anyone - Iraq anyone? Or Libya?

And yes MWR the Charles de Gaulle suffered a prop failure. Tres oops.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 11:37 AM (/8lfu)

68 the French have the only non-Americn nuke carrier; it made it out of port just fine

Posted by: Jules ( turning Chinese ). clever, mean, and egotistical at March 05, 2014 11:37 AM (omBWL)

69 There's always a lighthouse.

Posted by: Booker Dewitt at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (jlOxu)

70 Aren't the french the ones who built an aircraft carrier that couldn't even make it out of port?

Who was it who had two aircraft carriers, but only one functional power plant? Whenever one came in, they had to take out the power plant and install it on the other.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (P7Wsr)

amphibious.

frog.

Posted by: Bigby's Hangnail at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (3ZtZW)

72 Any of our Navy pals on the "smart military blog" care to comment ?

As former Air Force, I have to ask where they put the golf course.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (Ec6wH)

73 Amongst the European corporations involved in building or financing the pipeline, there are Britain's Rolls Royce, Italy's Snam, France's GDF Suez and Holland's Gasunie. Gazprom and the Kremlin have constantly worked to exclude the eastern European countries from the pipeline. http://tinyurl.com/p8ezswv Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 03:36 PM (IXrOn) so there it is.

Posted by: willow at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (nqBYe)

74 The SCOAMF is a gutless pussy.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (UAMVq)

75 >> i guess they are as hornorable as our administration

Or at least more upfront about their goals and more predictable.

Posted by: Lizzy at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (aq/zi)

76 The EU needs Russian oil and nat. gas.... we need Russian protected supply lines for our 35,000 troops in AFG. Obama can't and won't be able to do anything about Putin's takeover of Crimea... What will Putin do next?..... no coherent leadership in the West.... Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic..... these States have to be sh*tting themselves at this moment in time....

Posted by: Stark Reality at March 05, 2014 11:38 AM (NRUIv)

77 Breaking news.....The ship provides abortions and hosts ghey parties. All on the promenade or the Moo Moo deck.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 05, 2014 11:39 AM (HVff2)

78 nice ships: all they need now is a blue water navy to go with them, real carriers to protect them, and the support fleet to keep them at sea, along with all the ancillary items like aircraft, crews, amphibious forces, etc.

yawn...

Posted by: redc1c4 at March 05, 2014 11:39 AM (q+fqH)

79 What is the saying...? Oh yes: The customer is always right. ************ I think it is more-- The customer is king. Ah, oui... Le client est roi.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 11:39 AM (RJMhd)

80 A French-Russian story? I can't lose!

Posted by: MWR's Written Accent at March 05, 2014 11:39 AM (NF2Bf)

81 Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic..... these States have to be sh*tting themselves at this moment in time.... Posted by: Stark Reality at March 05, 2014 03:38 PM (NRUIv) wonder who will be the the first administration official to tell them. eat.your.peas.

Posted by: willow at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (nqBYe)

82 Throughout the Cold War, and to this day, the Europeans have done everything possible to subvert and undermine our attempts to contain the Soviets (and now the Russians), all while the US essentially pays for their defense against those same Soviets/Russians.

F'em. F'em hard, and send them a bill.

Posted by: whoever at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (kGSN0)

83 One ping only.

Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (GQ8sn)

84 French commandos... mon Dieu, that just doesn't flicker in my brain.

I wouldn't want to mess with them. They've got a lot of practice killing people in Africa.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (P7Wsr)

85 PIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!!!

Posted by: EC at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (GQ8sn)

86 All because Bush lied to NATO and France.

Posted by: Dorcus Blimline at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (t/98T)

87
Please elaborate.

This sounds like a Polish joke come to life.

the CdG had a prop break once; it was fixed forthwith

Posted by: Jules ( turning Chinese ). clever, mean, and egotistical at March 05, 2014 11:40 AM (omBWL)

88 Maybe Moochelle can fly over there and give it a proper christening.

Posted by: Chairman Mow at March 05, 2014 11:41 AM (BoGvE)

89 The Moo Moo deck, isn't that directly below the poop deck?

Posted by: Killerdog at March 05, 2014 11:41 AM (bO0hR)

90 Great: France to Unveil New Amphibious Assault Ships Sold to Russia Today *** Wait. They sold the ships today or they are unveiling them today?

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 05, 2014 11:41 AM (DmNpO)

91 Post-WWII, France's official foreign policy was to support a "multi-polar" world. This is more of the same. They are not, in any meaningful sense, allies.

Posted by: sandy burger at March 05, 2014 11:41 AM (OrtJ5)

92 I think of this picture every time I hear about "French military strength":

http://tinyurl.com/mltj8qv

Posted by: physics geek at March 05, 2014 11:41 AM (MT22W)

93 It was the best of ships, it was the worst of ships ...

Posted by: ScoggDog at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (7ci1X)

94 I hope they named it the "Gerard Depardieu".

Posted by: navybrat at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (AW7Gr)

95 Trying to decide if having troops in Europe is worth it anymore.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (WdbF7)

96 I like this on Global Security about Ukraine

Russia without Ukraine is a country;
Russia with Ukraine is an empire.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/politics-2014-03.htm

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (/8lfu)

97 70 Aren't the french the ones who built an aircraft carrier that couldn't even make it out of port? Who was it who had two aircraft carriers, but only one functional power plant? Whenever one came in, they had to take out the power plant and install it on the other. Posted by: bonhomme at March 05, 2014 03:38 PM (P7Wsr) ************ Ugh that reminds me--who had the crappy subs?

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (RJMhd)

98 Perhaps all the guns are on the shoreward side of the ship?

Posted by: D-Lamp at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (bb5+k)

Looks like a lot or right angles to me

Yeah I know nothing about navy stuff but that certainly doesn't look like a formidable ship to me.

Looks like a big fat target. But I'm an ultracrepidarian so.....

Posted by: eleven at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (fsLdt)

100 Didn't Patton say something about this? Paraphrasing - "I'd rather have a division of Germans in front of me than a division of French behind me."

He recognized a long time ago the value of having the French on your side.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (BZAd3)

101 81 Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic..... these States have to be sh*tting themselves at this moment in time....

Posted by: Stark Reality at March 05, 2014 03:38 PM (NRUIv)

Poland and the Czech Republic are in NATO. Invade them and it activates the treaty, and Vlad isn't stupid.

Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 11:42 AM (RD7QR)

102 I'm just laughing at the thought of French commandos. Prancing over to the bidet before donning some designer camouflage. "We don't believe in zee guns. Arret, or we'll yell ARRET again!"

Posted by: Citizen X at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (7ObY1)

103 The student acknowledged he had Â“level 2 lookalike truthÂ” (i.e. a truth in the shape of a lie in the shape of a gun aimed at Lady Justice)

Posted by: Thomas Friedman at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (e8kgV)

104 Le Queef de le Mer

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (ZshNr)

105 What is the saying...? Oh yes: The customer is always right.

---

I think the saying he has in mind is, "The Capitalist will sell us the rope we will use to hang him!"

Posted by: whoever at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (kGSN0)

106 really too bad we couldn't have gone full bore drilling and filling Europes tanks up. so the cost is a country or two. and our economy , and so on.

Posted by: willow at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (nqBYe)

107 90 Great: France to Unveil New Amphibious Assault Ships Sold to Russia Today *** Wait. They sold the ships today or they are unveiling them today? Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 05, 2014 03:41 PM (DmNpO) ********** Actually I think they were contracted out in 2011.

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (RJMhd)

108 @78 - I don't think anyone's expecting the Russians to do the kind of global power-projection they aspired to in the Soviet days. These are perfectly nice vessels for operating under land-based air cover. As for the French involvement...this wasn't published in the NYT, and with Chuck Hagel as SecDef we can be fairly confident that the Obama White House is carefully insulated from anything they don't want to hear about, so I wouldn't much expect us to go inconveniencing the French by asking them to extend the builder trials another five or six years....

Posted by: JEM at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (o+SC1)

109 It's easy to grinnnn
When your ship comes innnnn
And you've got the stock market beat

But a man worthwhiilllle
Is a man who can smillllle
When his shorts are too tight in the seat.

Ok, Pooky, do the honors.

Posted by: Judge Smails at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (/29Nl)

110 104 Le Queef de le Mer Posted by: Lincolntf at March 05, 2014 03:43 PM (ZshNr) ********* LOL!

Posted by: tasker at March 05, 2014 11:43 AM (RJMhd)

111 Ah yes, from those who built the carrier Charles de Gaulle: http://tinyurl.com/m8v2kfq

Posted by: Brother Cavil, future overlord of the winter wastes at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (naUcP)

112 From where I sat, any ship that bobbed along noisily at test depth was just a target.

Posted by: traye at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (fqOja)

113 Don't worry, Kerry is giving a speech, that'll straighten out the balance of power!

Posted by: Seems legit at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (A98Xu)

114 Speaking of Ukraine, they are *really* kicking our ass at metric football.

Posted by: HR at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (ZKzrr)

115 The United States plans to expand military cooperation with Poland and Baltic states to show "support" for its allies after Russia's intervention in Ukraine, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel said Wednesday. "This morning the Defense Department is pursuing measures to support our allies," including expanded aviation training in Poland and increasing the US role in NATO's air policing mission over Baltic countries, Hagel told lawmakers. Yeah right hegel you dumb fuck stooge. hey obama maybe you fucked up pulling the missile shield from Poland ha? But hey gutting the Military mow is nice touch

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (nzKvP)

116 I hope they named it the "Gerard Depardieu".

Maurice Chevalier, for his lovely rendition of, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls."

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (P7Wsr)

117 Do French Naval Vessels come standard with electronic counter measures like chaff dispensers, radar jammers, and decoys?

Posted by: RGM-84 Harpoon at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (qjaON)

118 74 The SCOAMF is a gutless pussy. --- And Guy Smiley is too fucking stupid to realize that fact, which is why his blustering makes him look like an even bigger dumbass than he was back in 2004.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 05, 2014 11:44 AM (/Crba)

119 Don't worry, Kerry is giving a speech, that'll straighten out the balance of power!

Posted by: Seems legit at March 05, 2014 03:44 PM (A98Xu)

He's hoping to bore Vlad to death

Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (1Jaio)

120 Poland and the Czech Republic are in NATO. Invade them and it activates the treaty, and Vlad isn't stupid. Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 03:42 PM (RD7QR) it will be a soft takeover, i own you, do you see anyone helping you? ok sit down and enjoy.

Posted by: willow at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (nqBYe)

121 France is not a member of NATO. They didn't want any thing getting in their way in selling crap to NATO adversaries.

Posted by: Paul Bearer at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (Kz9dH)

122 Anyone thinks the French have ball to Scuttle her?

Posted by: Paladin at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (mCOPv)

123 Wow, it really puts the 'broad' in 'broadside.

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (Y/M/K)

124 83 One ping only.

I always like to do this in a Scottish accent : "One ping only Miss Monneypenny."

Posted by: Marko Alexandrovich Ramius at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (BoGvE)

125 95 Trying to decide if having troops in Europe is worth it anymore.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 03:42 PM (WdbF7)

I feel bad for the Poles and the Czechs but my gut says no. Let the Germans and the Frogs shoulder the burden now.

Posted by: joncelli at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (RD7QR)

126

>>>Any of our Navy pals on the "smart military blog" care to comment ?

Um, nice ship? What did you want?

Posted by: Bigby's Hangnail at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (3ZtZW)

127 Preemptive surrender?

Posted by: Boone at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (3p8HS)

128 Le Queef de le Mer

Drag Race Season 5.

Posted by: HR at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (ZKzrr)

129 A French-Russian story? I can't lose!

Posted by: MWR's Written Accent at March 05, 2014 03:39 PM (NF2Bf)

*shinkick so hard!*

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (4df7R)

130 Wait until the Rooskies find out that the belowdecks are outfitted only for cheese and monkeys.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (aDwsi)

131 Maurice Chevalier, for his lovely rendition of, "Thank Heaven for Little Girls."

Posted by: bonhomme at March 05, 2014 03:44 PM (P7Wsr)

With the chorus by Woody Allen and Roman Polanski

Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 05, 2014 11:45 AM (1Jaio)

132 Good thing that the French are our best buds. Our relationship with them is so much more special that with, say, the British, or those uncouth Israeli's, who refuse to go quietly into the good night.

Posted by: West at March 05, 2014 11:46 AM (1Rgee)

133 Aren't the french the ones who built an aircraft carrier that couldn't even make it out of port? and the Concorde

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 05, 2014 11:46 AM (IXrOn)

134 You see, if I were President, I'd have my ambassadors explaining to their European counterparts that unless the nations they represent begin developing their own energy resources (and we're not talking wind here) then the US will have to consider that they've made a conscious decision to render themselves supplicant to the Russians. Of course, this would happen shortly AFTER I've fired 40% of the EPA and almost everyone in the Federal government with 'climate' in their job title.

Posted by: JEM at March 05, 2014 11:46 AM (o+SC1)

135 Posted by: redc1c4 at March 05, 2014 03:39 PM (q+fqH)

Not to mention that the Rooskies aren't exactly noted for their strict adherence to principles of preventive maintenance or damage control practices.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (L8r/r)

136 That's a pretty big slab-sided target there.

Posted by: toby928© embraces tribalism at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (QupBk)

137 Don't worry we have our top men on the case. Top. Men.

Posted by: John F-ing Kerry at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (BoGvE)

138 I feel bad for the Poles and the Czechs but my gut says no. Let the Germans and the Frogs shoulder the burden now. Posted by: joncelli ------- During the Berlin Crisis in 1948, they indicated a preference for throwing in with Rooksies, if it would avoid war.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (aDwsi)

139

Don't worry, Kerry is giving a speech, that'll straighten out the balance of power!

Posted by: Seems legit at March 05, 2014 03:44 PM (A98Xu)

He's hoping to bore Vlad to death

Posted by: TheQuietMan at March 05, 2014 03:45 PM (1Jaio)

To be fair, if anyone could do it, it'd be Horseface.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (4df7R)

140 and the Concorde *** Which, while the plane reportedly didn't make money, was a marvel in its time.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (DmNpO)

141 Remember during Bush every few months we'd hear about some bullshit US vs world opinion poll? Not with obama, though, eh? Remember when our "standing with the global community" was important and Bush ruined it?

Posted by: soothsayer at March 05, 2014 11:47 AM (W6Jq2)

142 That is one seriously damn ugly ship. The hell?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 05, 2014 11:48 AM (da5Wo)

143 Since it's French built do they come with complementary white flags?

Posted by: Wonkish Rogue at March 05, 2014 11:48 AM (dvRYt)

144 Trying to decide if having troops in Europe is worth it anymore.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 05, 2014 03:42 PM (WdbF7)

------------------------------------------------

No.

Posted by: Soona at March 05, 2014 11:48 AM (pHRUK)

145 So I take it Hollande's get tough conversation with Putin over Ukraine last weekend went like, fine you can have your warships but we're not waxing all of the floors.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 05, 2014 11:48 AM (IV4od)

146

French commandos... mon Dieu, that just doesn't flicker in my brain.

I wouldn't want to mess with them. They've got a lot of practice killing people in Africa.

Yeah... we give the French a lot of shit, mostly because they dropped the ball in the one world war which really counted [and we discovered the Nazis had a glass jaw when you smacked em hard enough] but they actually do fight, and get in a lot of fights. Its as if McCain is in charge of their African policies.

Posted by: Bigby's Hangnail at March 05, 2014 12:41 PM (3ZtZW)

147 And the Rafale that France is trying to sell? France left the Eurofighter consortium when Germany and England rejected the French version. So they turned it into the Rafale that has one overseas sales win - India and that is mired in technology transfer issues.

People talk about the JSF F-35 being a jobs program and not a warplane, the Pentagon learned from the Eurofighter debacle on how to mismanage.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 05, 2014 12:41 PM (/8lfu)

148 Noah Rothman ‏@NoahCRothman MSNBC debating the value of global peace guaranteed by America. They're solid on the peace, kinda iffy on the America part.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at March 05, 2014 12:42 PM (ZPrif)

149 We're back!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at March 05, 2014 01:22 PM (DmNpO)

150 Amphibious assault seems like a low priority for Russia. What am I missing?

Posted by: Beagle at March 05, 2014 01:35 PM (sOtz/)

151 President Hollande is a pinko (literally -- I saw his supporters posting "rose" pictures and comments after he won) so of course he's sending support to Putin.
Hollande is now terribly inpopular and I'm sure the majority of French disagree with this; however, they voted for him (well, 51% did) so now they're stuck with him.

Posted by: Aslan's Girl at March 05, 2014 01:37 PM (KL49F)

152 Ironically, those are supposed to be based at Novorrrssssk, the port I cannot spell, not Sevastopol.

Posted by: sexypig at March 05, 2014 01:41 PM (dZQh7)

153 @117 Do yours? FFG-31 seemed to have some trouble in that area.

Posted by: AM-39 Exocet at March 05, 2014 01:43 PM (o+SC1)

154 Word!

Posted by: HMS Sheffield at March 05, 2014 01:43 PM (o+SC1)

155 Probably planning for fighting in the Arctic I guess. All I can think of.

Posted by: Beagle at March 05, 2014 01:43 PM (sOtz/)

156 What he say!

Posted by: RFAS Atlantic Conveyor at March 05, 2014 01:43 PM (o+SC1)

157 Righto!

Posted by: HMS Glamorgan at March 05, 2014 01:44 PM (o+SC1)

158 Seem to have sunk Pixy, too. My apologies.

Posted by: AM-39 Exocet at March 05, 2014 01:47 PM (o+SC1)

159 >>>I hope they named it the "Gerard Depardieu".<<<

Much consideration was given to Mont Auxios, but Putin fancies himself something akin to a modern day Caesar.

Posted by: Fritz at March 05, 2014 01:51 PM (PnMCP)

160 Funny how some liberals poo poo 17th/18th Century foreign relations. Because that's when France and Russia developed mutually beneficial relationships to counter Germany. The relationship has continued, including during the Cold War and operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Posted by: Dan at March 05, 2014 01:53 PM (bkf6C)

161 Looks like it was built out of legos.

Posted by: Kirk's Gorn at March 05, 2014 01:54 PM (/EkKm)

162 "I think it's pretty awesome that the French are showing off their military solidarity with Putin."
Then again, its the French Military. I can just imagine what a colossal radar signature that slab-sided thing has.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 05, 2014 02:01 PM (zfY+H)

163 "The Moo Moo deck, isn't that directly below the poop deck?"

Above it, actually.

Posted by: Fledrmaus at March 05, 2014 02:27 PM (FkH4y)

164 Gen. Schwarzkopf "Going to war without the French is like going hunting without an accordion."

Posted by: jrcobbstr at March 05, 2014 02:35 PM (OGuBw)

165 Are they sending it to the Pacific. They have some issues with Japan about some northern islands the Ruskies grabbed when they new the bombs were going to quickly stop the war and they would have them, Japan on it's knees and we having enough already. Patton had other ideas though.

Posted by: jrcobbstr at March 05, 2014 02:42 PM (OGuBw)

166 Here is the US vessel tasked with the same mission: http://tinyurl.com/mmpkn57
You will note the huge difference in configuration and radar signature.

Since the new Russian ship is built by the worthless frogs, we have nothing at all to worry about. And those Japanese pilots? Squinty-eyed, nearsighted. Why, they can barely pilot a torpedo bomber.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at March 05, 2014 03:04 PM (xq1UY)

167 146 France will fight anybody who lacks an air force.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at March 05, 2014 03:11 PM (5xmd7)

168 This is exactly the time to be handing Russia western built military hardware.

Posted by: GIJared at March 05, 2014 03:17 PM (dpuDl)

169 France: Our Oldest Enemy.

Posted by: toby928© embraces tribalism at March 05, 2014 03:22 PM (QupBk)

170 Everything old is new again!!!

Posted by: Guns of August at March 05, 2014 03:40 PM (8SsiG)

171 France was one of our first allies. Remember our revolution? But of course, then we had Ben Franklin. Not enough ability today in all of Washington City to make one of old Ben's toenails.

Posted by: Erowmero at March 05, 2014 04:13 PM (1gcFZ)

172 Joke all you want but .... Note that Russia got these two major ships three or four years after making the decision. The U S Navy would have spent ten times the money, then cut the number of units in half "to save costs" and nothing would have touched water before 2025.

Posted by: El Gordo at March 05, 2014 09:28 PM (GePem)

173 A significant part of the American population always seems to become irrationally stupid and hateful everytime France is mentioned

Posted by: François at March 06, 2014 12:47 AM (Aua1c)

174 It would be interesting if we (the US, Barack) bombed those ships while they're still in French custody. The French would, well, do nothing -- other than sponsor UN condemnations of the US (it is Wednesday, after all). The Russians would be angry, but could avoid direct engagement with the US and still save face by claiming they had not yet taken custody, so it wasn't really an attack on Russian interests. Then pound the table demanding the French do something about it). The US could say that its intelligence supported the conclusion that the ships were destined for use by a military that does not permit transgendered soldiers to serve alongside non-transgendered soldiers, which is a violation of natural law civil rights.

Posted by: Cyrus Pants at March 06, 2014 03:20 AM (yiXGm)

175 Why the hell should Turkey even let this thing through the Straits? If Russia's going to play war in the Black Sea, why should Turkey allow *any* Russian shipping through the Straits?

Posted by: Dickinson N' Jane at March 06, 2014 03:46 AM (Nny4D)

176 When I read all about those jockes and (not so jocking) comments about french military, coming from US citizen, I gess that's prove a current theory , shared by most of Humanity : US citizen brain is exceptionally limited. The only one that can't go over WWII AND can't retain informations like french military victories in Mali, Ivory Coast and Libya ! Neither can't he imagine a couragous french individual !
Poor US guys ! ='(

Posted by: bauer at March 06, 2014 09:09 AM (8fZ95)

177 That is one butt ugly ship...

Posted by: Mudshark at March 06, 2014 11:16 AM (D8Xij)

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