In an historic deal, the army hopes to buy a top-notch French helicopter carrier, the Mistral, in what would be the biggest foreign military purchase for the country in many years.  Three or four additional carriers would then be produced in Russia with French cooperation.  Russia is also discussing the possibility of a joint missile monitoring center with the US.  Despite recent murmurings, apparently Russia does not intend to replace the Baluva missile with the Sineva missile.  The Chief of the General Staff of the army has avowed his faith in the power of the unpredictable weapon.