French ship Mistral (L9013)

The 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
The 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. The Mistral is the flagship of the system off Lebanon, escorted by the frigates Jean Bart and Jean de Vienne, and along with the Siroco.

On 16 May 2008, the Burmese UN ambassador accused France of deploying the Mistral to the Burmese coast for military purposes, which the French UN ambassador denied, 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 with a potential option for three more vessels. June 17, 2011 Russia and France signed $1.7bln deal for mistral carrier

In March 2011 she was deployed to Libyan waters to help aid the joint UK-French effort to repatriate tens of thousands of Egyptian refugees fleeing the violence in Libya.

In January 2013, escorted by Chevalier Paul, she took part in the ill-fated operation to retrieve Denis Allex, a DGSE officer held hostage in Bulo Marer.