First French Mistral arrives in Egypt. It was once meant for Russia
The first of two French-made warships sold to Egypt after France canceled their sale to Russia has arrived off the coast of Alexandria.
Egyptian television channels on June 23 broadcast live footage as the Mistral assault ship approached the main port on Egypt’s northern coast.
The ship, named Gamal Abdel Nasser, left the shipyard of Saint-Nazaire on France's Atlantic coast on June 12.
Its sister ship, which is to be named after assassinated Egyptian leader Anwar al-Sadat, is expected to arrive in Alexandria in September.
The two ships were originally intended for sale to Russia, Radio Free Europe.