Mistral 140
DCNS unveiled a model of a smaller version of the standard Mistral BPC 210 ship called the Mistral 140 in September 2014 at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2014 exhibition in Pretoria, South Africa.
Compared to the full-sized ship's 21,500 tons displacement and 199 m (653 ft) length with six helicopter landing spots, the 140 would have a displacement of 14,000 tons, 170 m (560 ft) long with five helicopter landing spots. It would be 30 m (98 ft) wide with a range of 6,000 nmi (6,900 mi; 11,000 km) at 15 knots.
| Mistral 210 | Mistral 140 |
| Tonnage: 21,500 tons | 14,000 tons |
| length: 199m (653 ft) | 170m (560 ft) |
| Beam: 32m (105 ft) | 30m (98 ft) |
| Range: 10,800 Km (5,800nmi) | 11,000 (6900 nmi) |
| Helo: 6 landing spots | 5 landing spots |
Like the original plans for the Mistral BPC 210 that have not yet come to fruition, the Mistral 140 would have naval guns at the left stern and at the right side of the bow, with heavy machine gun posts on both sides. There would be a well dock in the stern for landing craft, and two alcoves on each side to launch rigid-hulled inflatable boats, along with a crane positioned amidships behind the superstructure. The hangar deck would have space for ten helicopters, with a 400 m2 joint operations centre for command staff. There would be accommodation for about 500 troops as well as over 30 vehicles and a 30-bed hospital. Propulsion would be provided by two azimuth pods and a bow thruster, probably an all-electric propulsion system like the BPC 210.
DCNS is advertising the Mistral 140 as "a political tool for civilian and military action" for countries that cannot afford the standard Mistral vessels. Roles listed include humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, crisis management, force protection, joint headquarters command, medical and logistics support and transport of military forces. The company is pitching the ship to countries less likely to engage in combat operations which need something more like a multi-role support or logistics ship, particularly the South African Navy.
From a design aspect, I believe it needs a second lift like the Endurance 170. But would still be operational as is. My main issue would be still the cost, being a European design. Again if we could get it built in South Korea and or Singapore even Japan, lowering construction costs greatly.
Mistral 170
Other option is Mistral 170, sits in between the 140 and the 210
