Russia could declare a tender for the construction of two amphibious assault ships for the Russian Navy at the Euronaval 2010 exhibition, currently taking place in Paris.

Invitations to interested participants have been sent and the winner is expected to be announced by the end of 2010, according to RIA Novosti.

Russia’s United Shipbuilding Corporation, in partnership with France’s DCNS, the Nevski design bureau in St Petersburg, South Korea’s STX company and Spain’s Navantia, will be participating in the tender.

The French Mistral Class amphibious assault ship could be the winner of the closed tender, according to experts.

Russia is still negotiating the purchase of two French-built Mistral Class warships.