Page 32 - ADT JUNE - JULY 2021 Online Magazine

Orders on Hand MICA (VL MICA) air defence system, which
MBDA has already received orders for a total 567 MICA NGs. has been ordered by 15 land and naval forces
The latest order for 367 was received by MBDA from the French around the globe. “MICA NG represents a step
Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) in March and an earlier order change against the current version of MICA,
for 200 missiles was placed in late 2018. Deliveries for the first while keeping the same mechanical charac-
order of 200 missiles start from 2026 and delivery of the second teristic and remaining fully compatible with
batch of 367 missiles will take place between 2028 and 2031. existing launchers. Its dual pulse motor allows
France has also placed order for supply of 150 Mica NG force train- an efficient range of 40 km in surface-to-air [ MISSILE SYSTEMS ]
ing vehicles. MBDA has also received orders for the pyrotechnic firings. The missiles’ two different seekers,
renovation of 300 current MICA missiles in service with the French are entirely new technologies (an Imaging IR
Armed Forces. This will extend their service life until 2030 and the seeker based on a focal plan array and an
missiles can be carried on all French Rafales, Mirage 2000-5 and Active Electronically Scanned Antenna RF
upgraded Mirage 2000Ds. The French Armed Forces were to have seeker) providing outstanding performance
commenced phasing out of their existing MICA missiles starting in and a comfortable margin against electronic
2018 and ending by 2030. counter measures from the adversary,” a com-
pany spokesperson tells ADT.
The MICA could be fired at targets behind the aircraft using a target
designation transmitted over link 16 from another aircraft and the MBDA is also developing a new generation
IR version could also act as an infrared watch sensor, allowing the of coastal batteries under the MCDS (Missile
launch aircraft to detect IR missile attacks. The DGA had placed Coastal Defence System) programme for
orders for at least 1,100 MICA missiles with deliveries completed export customers.
by 2012 and Approximately half of the 1,110 MICAs ordered were
split between MICA EM and MICA IR. The MICA missile entered “AS WE ENJOY A SIGNIFICANT
service in 1997 as a replacement for the Matra MAGIC II missile PORTFOLIO OF ANTI-SHIP
and Matra Super 530 D AAMs. The MICA is assembled at MBDA’s MISSILES, WE HAVE DEVELOPED
industrial site in Selles-Saint-Denis (Loir-et-Cher).
A PARTICULARLY FLEXIBLE
New Variants SYSTEM THAT CAN OPERATE
Along with MICA NG, MBDA is proceeding with the development VARIOUS MISSILES AT VARIOUS
of a Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) variant. It will offer the new RANGES, ALLOWING THE
missile in combination with its highly successful Vertical Launch
CUSTOMER TO OPTIMISE ITS
DEFENCE ACCORDINGLY WITH THE
GEOGRAPHY OF ITS MARITIME
APPROACHES. MCDS CAN OPERATE
MARTE MK2/N (30 KM CLASS),
MARTE ER (100 KM CLASS) AND/
OR EXOCET MM40 BLOCK 3 (200

KM CLASS),” the spokesperson said.

Real Partnership
The MICA NG programme will cost an esti-
mated 1.8 billion euros with the industry
undertaking a greater share of the develop-
ment costs. Thales, Safran and Roxel are also
participating in the programme working on
the seeker and propulsion. While the French
Government has reduced its investment in
the missile’s development its contribution will
ensure it receives royalties on missile sales as
well as a mechanism for reducing the price of
missiles acquired by France according to the
number of missiles produced for export. The
non-dependence of MICA NG on International
Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) also makes
it likely, that it will enjoy strong export sales just
as its predecessor did.

32 | June/July 2021 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT