People line up for their turn to visit the Mistral French amphibious assault ship docked on the Neva River in downtown St. Petersburg. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Dmitry Lovetsky)

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia - Hundreds of St. Petersburg residents have lined up to see a cutting-edge French warship that Russia wants to buy.

The Mistral amphibious assault ship opened herself up for visitors Wednesday. Hundreds of people queued up for hours to board the ship capable of carrying 16 helicopters and dozens of armoured vehicles.

Mistral had sailed into downtown St. Petersburg earlier this week.

Russian officials have announced this year that they are planning to make their first arms deal with a NATO country by buying a Mistral-class vessel and building more under license.

That idea worries Russia's neighbours after its war against Georgia last year. They fear that Russia may use such ships to bully them.

Officials in Georgia and Estonia voiced concern about the possible sale this week.