Ground-based VL Mica Air Defense System Wins First Export Order

Released on Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Following an international competition launched in 2007, the VL MICA short-range air defence system, in its ground-based configuration, has won its first export customer order. This success reinforces that already achieved by the naval variant of VL MICA which has already been ordered by two export customers.

MBDA will be the prime contractor and integrator of a system based on: a command and co-ordination centre (known as the TOC or Tactical Operations Centre), a variable number of vertical launch vehicles produced by MBDA as well as a surveillance and acquisition radar.

VL MICA development was launched in 2005, benefiting from French DGA (Délégation Générale pour l'Armement) funding within the "SALVE" Programme and was achieved with the support of the French Armed Forces.

Antoine Bouvier, MBDA's Chief Executive Officer, said: "This first export contract is an attestation that the VL MICA concept is equally appealing in its land version as it is in its naval version. The system provides decisive innovations for the operational user, namely a unique multi-purpose missile deployed from a high performance vertical launch system".