MBDA Ready to Deliver the VL MICA to RTA Next Year

10 November 2017

MBDA VL MICA air defence system (photo : MBDA)

MBDA confirm the delivery of VL MICA to RTA next year.

Speaking at the Defense and Security 2017, Pascal Emler, regional executive export sales of MBDA confirm that the company will deliver the VL MICA to RTA next year.

"The RTA will receive two launchers - down from four - along with one command truck. The system will be working with TRML-3D/32 radar from Airbus. Right now, the system will work stand alone and we are working on the second system to RTA" said Pascal Emler.

VL MICA is designed to work with various radar because the system considers radar only as a sensor. The guidance will be the work of the missile. target data update can be done if necessary and the missile shares the configuration with the air-to-air and ground-to-air version.

"Our missile may cost more, but we do not need the illuminator radar and higher probability of kill which is better than ESSM that need to fire two missiles in the row. So, the over cost is cheaper."

He also said the RTAF still keen on Meteor despite some budget issue.

"Gripen and AMRAAM may not make different. But Gripen with Meteor will be the game changer with the Rafale and Typhoon-level of performance with the lower cost."

The RTAF currently field AIM-120C AMRAAM with the Gripen. The new AIM-120D still not certify on the aircraft.

(TAF)