Status In service Length 199 m | Commissioned February 2006 Identification L 9013 Launched 6 October 2004 Builder Chantiers de l'Atlantique | |
 | ||
Laid down 10 July 2003 (aft part in Brest)13 October 2003 (bow part in Saint-Nazaire) | ||
Mistral (L9013) is an amphibious assault ship, a type of helicopter carrier, of the French Navy. She is the fourth vessel to bear the name, and is the lead ship of the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships.
History
Mistral started her trials in January 2005, and was officially commissioned in February 2006. She departed from Toulon for her first long-range journey in March, sailing through the Mediterranean, Suez, and the Red Sea to Djibouti and India, before returning to France.
In July, to ensure the safety of European citizens in the context of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, France set up Opération Baliste. Mistral was the flagship of the fleet unit off Lebanon, escorted by the frigates Jean Bart and Jean de Vienne, and along with Siroco.
On 16 May 2008, the Burmese UN ambassador accused France of deploying Mistral to the Burmese coast for military purposes. The French UN ambassador denied this, stating that she was instead carrying 1,500 tons of relief supplies.
In February 2010 it was announced that France had agreed to sell Russia a Mistral-class vessel with a potential option for three more vessels. On 17 June 2011, Russia and France signed $1.7bln deal for two Mistral class vessels.
In March 2011 she was deployed to Libyan waters to help aid the joint NATO effort to repatriate tens of thousands of Egyptian refugees fleeing the violence in Libya.
In January 2013, escorted by Chevalier Paul, Mistral took part in the ill-fated operation to retrieve Denis Allex, a DGSE officer held hostage in Bulo Marer.