France's DCNS delivered the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Egypt on Thursday, the defense company said, part of a deal inked in October.

The Landing Helo Dock Gamal Abdel Nasser flag transfer ceremony, attended by Egyptian and French naval officials, represents the first of several transfers scheduled between DCNS and Egypt in the coming years.

DCNS says it is slated to deliver at least seven combat vessels to Egypt by 2020.

The ships were originally built for the Russian navy as part of a $1.3 billion weapons acquisition deal with Moscow that France terminated in August after Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territory in Crimea.

France paid roughly $1 billion in compensation for cancellation of the contract.

The Mistral-class amphibious carriers can carry a combined mix of 16 Ka-27 Kamov and Ka-29 Kamov Helix anti-submarine helicopters and Ka-52 Alligator strike helicopters.

Russia is supplying helicopters and other equipment to Egypt for use on board the ships.

The Gamal Abdel Nasser will leave the Saint-Nazaire port in western France in the coming days with its support vessels: two new-generation landing craft and one fast amphibious landing craft, according to DCNS.

Before heading to its home port in Alexandria, the carrier will participate in a joint exercise with the French navy.

Egyptian sailors have been in Saint-Nazaire since February for training on the LHD Nasser.