The US has urged its NATO allies to purchase the Mistral-class warships that are supposed to be sold to Russia.

      Speaking at the Reuters Aerospace and Defense Summit in Washington, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said, "We had made our concerns very well known about giving Russia this capability, and I think you ought to explore any way you can to keep these two amphibious ships out of Russian hands because it will give them capabilities that they don't have today."

      The ships are being made at the French state DCNS shipyard, in which French defense company Thales SA has a minority stake.

      Earlier, Russia-IC reported that France announced it suspended the delivery of the first Mistral-class helicopter carrier to Russia over its alleged role in the Ukraine crisis.

      Russia then warned France of the fines it would have pay if it falls through with its intention to cancel the deal to supply Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Moscow.

      Russian experts and officials estimate the losses at around 3 billion euros.

      The deal for two Mistral ships worth 1.2 bn euros was signed in June 2011.

      The helicopter carriers were expected to enter service with the Northern and the Pacific fleets in 2014 and 2015. It is planned to use the ships for the support of forces in the Kuril Islands.

      A Mistral-class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.

      France had previously repeatedly insisted it will stick to the contractual provisions despite numerous calls from the US and other allies to cancel the deal.