Moscow and Paris have yet to clinch a deal...

The official said Russia would like to buy one Mistral-class ship and that "subsequently, we would like to use their know-how, jointly with France, to build another three."

"We would like to buy such a helicopter carrier and continue cooperation... and continue building [such ships] here [in Russia]," he said.

The Russian military earlier announced that it was considering buying one of the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, worth 400-500 million euros (around $540-$675 million), and potentially building three or four vessels of the same class in partnership with the French naval shipbuilder DCNS. The French government has approved the sale but Russia has not yet made a final decision.

The Defense Ministry source said earlier in the day that if Moscow buys a Mistral-class carrier from France, it will be used principally as an amphibious command ship. He said the Mistral was basically a "force projection" command ship for various task groups or combined-arms

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