Helicopter carrier Mistral-type

The Mistral class is a type of helicopter carrier amphibious assault of the French Navy as part of the projection and command. Their name is NATO Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD).

The buildings of the Mistral class is the first of its kind to be built in France for the French Navy. Their size and characteristics allow them to be integrated either French carrier battle group, or a NATO Response Force (reaction force NATO) or missions peacekeeping under UN mandate or under of the European Union.

Three of these vessels, the study began in 1997, were built: the Mistral (L9013), admitted to active service on 18 December 2006 and Tonnerre (L9014) which was August 1, 2007. Third, Dixmude (L9015), came into operation on 27 July 2012. The cost of each of the Mistral class ship is estimated to EUR 294 million to EUR 420 million.