SOURCE: AFI
France achieved a significant milestone in its advanced missile development program with the first development firing of the MICA NG (Missile d’Interception, de Combat et d’Autodéfense Nouvelle Génération) air-to-air missile from a Rafale test aircraft at the DGA’s Landes Test Center. Conducted by the French Air and Space Force in collaboration with MBDA, the test validated the missile’s performance, marking a step toward enhancing the Rafale’s air combat capabilities.
The MICA NG, an advanced iteration of the proven MICA missile, introduces cutting-edge technologies, including a dual-mode seeker and enhanced all-weather performance, positioning it as a game-changer for air superiority missions. For India, which operates 36 Rafale jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and is set to induct 26 Rafale Marine (Rafale-M) jets for the Indian Navy, the MICA NG represents a potential upgrade, though deliveries are unlikely before 2028-29 due to the missile’s production timeline.
The MICA NG, developed by MBDA, builds on the legacy of the original MICA missile, which has been a cornerstone of the Rafale’s weapons suite since its introduction in the late 1990s. Measuring 3.10 meters in length, 160 mm in diameter, and weighing approximately 112 kg, the MICA NG retains full compatibility with existing Rafale launch rails and vertical launch systems, ensuring seamless integration with both the IAF’s Rafale B/C variants and the Navy’s Rafale-M. The missile’s dual-mode seeker architecture is its standout feature, combining an imaging infrared (IR) sensor with dual-band matrix detectors for enhanced sensitivity and resistance to infrared counter-countermeasures, and an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radio frequency (RF) seeker optimized for all-weather, beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements.
The MICA NG offers significant improvements over its predecessor, including a 20-30% extended range (estimated at 80-100 km compared to the MICA’s 60-80 km), a more powerful rocket motor, and advanced signal processing to counter electronic jamming. Its “fire-and-forget” capability, enabled by the dual-mode seeker, allows the Rafale to engage multiple targets simultaneously in complex combat scenarios, from short-range dogfights to BVR intercepts. The missile’s reduced weight and compact design also enable the Rafale to carry up to six MICA NGs, enhancing its combat loadout alongside other munitions like the Meteor BVRAAM and SCALP cruise missile.
The successful test firing, as reported by Naval News and MBDA’s official statement, involved a Rafale test aircraft launching the MICA NG against a simulated aerial target, validating its guidance systems, seeker performance, and integration with the Rafale’s RBE2-AA AESA radar and SPECTRA electronic warfare suite. The test marks a critical step toward the missile’s planned entry into production in 2026, with initial deliveries to the French Air and Space Force and Navy expected by 2027.
India, the largest foreign operator of the Rafale with 36 IAF jets (based at Ambala and Hasimara) and 26 Rafale-M jets on order for the Indian Navy, is likely to place separate orders for the MICA NG to enhance its fleet’s air combat capabilities. The IAF’s Rafales, inducted since 2020 under a €7.8 billion deal, currently employ the MICA IR and RF variants, alongside the Meteor BVRAAM and SCALP cruise missile. The Navy’s Rafale-M, formalized through a ?63,887 crore deal in April 2025, will also integrate the MICA as part of its weapons package, which includes Meteor and Exocet AM39 anti-ship missiles for carrier operations on INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
However, the MICA NG’s production timeline poses challenges for India. With production slated to begin in 2026, deliveries to India are unlikely before 2028-29, as France prioritizes equipping its own forces, including the Charles de Gaulle carrier’s Rafale-M fleet. Posts on X and reports from idrw.org suggest that India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is evaluating a separate procurement for the MICA NG, potentially bundled with the Rafale-M deal’s logistics package. The missile’s integration with India-specific enhancements, such as customized avionics and indigenous weapons like the Astra Mk1 and Mk2, will require additional testing, further delaying operational deployment.
While the MICA NG promises to elevate India’s Rafale fleet, challenges remain. The delayed delivery timeline (2028-29) means the IAF and Navy will rely on existing MICA variants for the next few years, potentially limiting their edge against adversaries like China’s PL-15 and PL-21 missiles.
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