SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
European missile manufacturer MBDA already has deepened its collaboration with India’s defence ecosystem by expanding the manufacturing of 15 major subassemblies for its MICA (Missile d’Interception et de Combat Aérien) missile. The partnership spans complex areas like mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, and pyrotechnic components, underscoring MBDA’s commitment to localizing advanced technology production within India. With the success of this collaboration, MBDA has ambitious plans to further leverage India’s defence manufacturing capabilities in its development of the next-generation MICA NG missile.
Scheduled for delivery starting in 2026, the MICA NG (Nouvelle Génération) is designed as a comprehensive upgrade of the existing MICA missile family, which has been in operational service with the French Armed Forces and 14 other nations. The MICA NG aims to be a seamless replacement, featuring substantial design improvements while preserving the current missile’s aerodynamics, mass, and centre of gravity to maintain compatibility with existing platforms and launchers. This approach will allow easy integration with systems already equipped with MICA, minimizing adaptation costs and requirements.
A defining feature of the MICA series, and one that will carry over to the MICA NG, is the choice of two seeker options (infrared and radio frequency) and two launch modes (rail and ejection) within a single missile casing. This versatility has made MICA a preferred choice for air forces around the world, and MBDA aims to sustain this legacy with the MICA NG while introducing a host of advancements.
The MICA NG will incorporate redesigned electronic components with a reduced volume, freeing up space for additional propellant. This increase in propellant capacity will significantly extend the missile’s range, enhancing its effectiveness in intercepting distant and high-value targets.
A new double-pulse rocket motor is one of the standout advancements in the MICA NG. This technology provides an extra burst of energy at the missile’s terminal phase, boosting its manoeuvrability to engage fast-moving or evasive targets effectively. The additional energy at the end of the flight trajectory is expected to significantly enhance the missile’s interception success rate at longer ranges.
MICA NG will feature an internal sensor system that monitors the missile’s status throughout its lifecycle, including during storage and transport. This continuous health assessment system will reduce the need for regular maintenance checks, lowering the missile’s overall cost of ownership and ensuring readiness at all times.
MBDA’s decision to incorporate the Indian defence manufacturing sector into its MICA NG program highlights India’s growing importance in the global defence supply chain. By tapping into India’s established expertise in the production of complex subassemblies for the existing MICA missile, MBDA aims to replicate this success with the MICA NG, fostering an ecosystem that can support advanced missile technologies.
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