Russia and France on Friday signed a 1.6-billion dollar contract for two French-made Mistral class warships.

The two countries sealed the deal on the sidelines of an economic summit meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Negotiations over the sale had been hung up on questions of how much access Russia would have to the military technology on board.

Russia's Rosoboronexport military corporation said the Mistrals would be delivered equipped with naval and defense capabilities.

A French-led consortium is to build the amphibious assault and helicopter carrier ships.

Russia has said the ships will be deployed in the Pacific, off its eastern coast.