Egyptian MEKO-A200 frigates will get a new generation of French MICA missile

Cabatli_TR

Experienced member
Staff member
Administrator
Messages
5,369
Reactions
80 45,485
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey
The French newspaper "La Tribune" announced, this morning, Wednesday, that the French-European company for missile industries, MBDA, has succeeded in winning a contract to supply the "MEKO-A200" frigates that the Egyptian navy contracted with the German company "ThyssenKrupp TKMS" ( The construction of the first frigate is nearing completion) with short-medium-range air defense missiles of the latest generation, at the expense of the South African "Denel" company, which failed to obtain bank guarantees necessary to complete the contract with the Egyptian side, whose value is estimated at more than 300 million euros. . (There are other reasons, including corruption, lack of government support for the company, and the migration of many innovative minds and engineers working for it abroad. Brazil also canceled the A-Darter air-to-air missile contract with the company at the same time as the Egyptian contract was canceled at the end of last year 2019).

As a result of canceling the contract with Denel, MBDA seized the opportunity with an exemplary offer represented in its latest generation of MICA air-to-air / surface-to-air missiles, known as "MICA NG" or "MICA Next Generation". The company received The first payment from the Egyptian side for the installation of equipment and launch equipment for missiles on board the Egyptian Miko frigates at the end of last July, and the second cash payment for the missiles themselves is still awaiting.

The new generation of MICA NG and VL-MICA NG surface-to-air missiles feature the new Dual-Pulse Rocket Motor that enables flying speeds of up to Mach 4 (4,880 km / h) and increases the range that can reach 40 km instead of 20 km for the air defense version - which the Egyptian Miko frigates will get - while the air combat version to be integrated on the Rafale in the coming years is expected to have a range of 100 km or more instead of 80 km for the MICA-EM and 60 km for the MICA-IR thermal release.

This generation also features advanced thermal and radar detectors, as the MICA-IR thermal emission will get a Matrix Array sensor (an array of sensors instead of a single sensor as is the case in the current generation) to increase accuracy and sensitivity to heat, while the MICA-EM radar version It will receive an Active Electronically Scanned Array radar sensor to maximize the ability to grasp targets and resist obstruction and electronic noise.

This, and the new generation of MICA missiles in the air combat version enhances the chances of Egypt contracting an additional batch of Rafale fighters and opening new horizons for them with the Egyptian Air Force, as it was distinguished by being purely French production that does not contain any American components as is the case with the current models. This cuts off the American side from using the ITAR Law or the "International Traffic in Arms Regulations" that controls the export of American military technology abroad in line with the interests of the United States, and which Washington has already used to obstruct the supply of Egypt with "SCALP" missiles. EG "mobile (France worked to solve the situation by manufacturing an alternative domestic component to its American counterpart), and possibly Meteor air-to-air missiles with a range of 100+ km.

 

Anmdt

Experienced member
Naval Specialist
Professional
Messages
5,111
Solutions
2
Reactions
95 22,767
Nation of residence
Turkey
Nation of origin
Turkey
There is something which doesn't click with the MBDA's press release
MICA NG will be in service by 2026, initially in French army later will replace existing MICA arsenal in exported countries.
VL version will be introduced later than air-launched version, as it usually happens.
I don't know who and how made those things up, that Egypt is receiving MICA NG even before than French Army.

The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has awarded MBDA the contract for the MICA NG (Missile d’Interception et de Combat Aérien Nouvelle Génération) programme to develop the next generation of the MICA missile. With deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026, MICA NG will be available to arm the current and future versions of the Rafale combat aircraft.


MICA NG is intended as the replacement for the MICA missiles currently in operational service with the French armed forces and exported to 14 countries worldwide. The NG programme includes an extensive redesign of the current MICA family while keeping the same aerodynamics, mass and centre of gravity. This is done to minimise the amount of adaptation required to operate the new system with existing platforms and launchers. The unique concept that has ensured the ongoing success of MICA for two decades remains: the option of two different seekers (infrared and radio frequency) and two launch modes (rail and ejection) in a single missile casing.


The technological step changes introduced with this change of generation will provide the capability to counter future threats. This includes targets with reduced infrared and electromagnetic signatures, atypical targets (UAVs and small aircraft), as well as the threats normally countered by air-to-air missiles (combat aircraft and helicopters).


More specifically, the infrared seeker will use a matrix sensor providing greater sensitivity. Meanwhile the radio frequency seeker will use an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Antenna), enabling smart detection strategies. The reduced volume of electronic components within MICA NG will allow it to carry a larger quantity of propellant, thereby significantly extending the range of the missile. Utilising a new double-pulse rocket motor will also provide additional energy to the missile at the end of its flight to improve manoeuvrability and the ability to intercept targets at long range. Lastly, the addition of internal sensors will allow the monitoring of the status of the weapon throughout its life (including during storage and transport), contributing to significantly reduced maintenance requirements and cost of ownership.


MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier said at the programme launch: “We are proud of the work completed with the DGA to achieve maximum technical and financial optimisation. The fact that we have reached this stage is thanks to the vision that we were able to share with our French customer to address its operational challenges, as well as our own long-term commercial challenges. The upgrading of the MICA family will enable us to support the armed forces throughout the remaining operational life of the Rafale”.
 

Philip the Arab

Contributor
Think Tank Analyst
Messages
1,331
Reactions
4 2,213
Nation of residence
United States of America
Nation of origin
Jordan
There is something which doesn't click with the MBDA's press release
MICA NG will be in service by 2026, initially in French army later will replace existing MICA arsenal in exported countries.
VL version will be introduced later than air-launched version, as it usually happens.
I don't know who and how made those things up, that Egypt is receiving MICA NG even before than French Army.
It was a French source who said that, we shall see.
 

Ekenelionel

New member
Messages
3
Reactions
5
Denel Umkhonto out, MBDA VL-MICA selected for Egypt’s Navy A200 frigates


After South Africa’s Denel Dynamics’ disappointing failure to complete it’s own part of the deal to supply dozens of Umkhonto surface-to-air missile to Egypt, Cairo has apparently gone ahead to select French-made MBDA VL-MICA to fill it’s requirement.

Cairo initially planned to acquire about 96 radar-guided Umkhonto-R missiles and 32 infrared-guided Umkhontos in a 2019 order intended to arm it’s four new MEKO A200 frigates it is buying from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

Read more >>>

 
Top Bottom