The sale in principle of a French assault ship to the Russian navy brought a stir this week - as the first military deal by a NATO member to Moscow, one that helps Russia's ailing fleet, and one that may involve the sale of three more ships.

A deal for the French Mistral, a modern $750 million craft that carries helicopters and up to 900 commandos, took place more abruptly than expected by other NATO members - at a time when European security policy on Russia remains in flux.

A Russian admiral has said the Mistral would have cut the 2008 war in Georgia "to 45 minutes." US defense chief Robert Gates in Paris this week expressed displeasure with the sale. But Jacques de Lajugie, head of international development at the French arms agency DGA, said it may be the beginnings of a beautiful friendship: "It is no longer one command ship, but four" sought by Moscow.