Mica is available in two versions depending on the search program installed, electromagnetic (EM) for all-weather surveillance or infrared (IR) for covert or self-defense interception.
The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) received on June 7, 2022, a first batch of 14 refurbished Mica air-to-air missiles, which were provided by the Joint Munitions Service (SIMu).
This refurbishment is part of the contract notified in November 2018 by the DGA to the industrialist MBDA, which covers both the pyrotechnic refurbishment of 300 Micas already delivered to the forces and the acquisition of 567 Mica New Generation (Mica NG) missiles.
The pyrotechnic refurbishment of these 300 MICAs, already equipped in the Air and Space Force and the French Navy, will allow their use until 2030 by all fighter planes (Rafale all standards, Mirage 2000-5, refurbished Mirage 2000D). This operation, which consists of replacing the missile’s pyrotechnic equipment (in particular its propellant) which limits its life, ensures a smooth transition for the air-to-air munitions fleet between now and the rise in power of the Mica NG, the whose deliveries are scheduled to start from 2026.
The work is carried out at MBDA at the Selles-Saint-Denis site with equipment produced by Thales LAS, Roxel and ASB, all in France.
The Mica is an air-to-air missile, enabling close-range self-defense combat and beyond-line-of-sight interception. Mica is available in two versions depending on the search program installed, electromagnetic (EM) for all-weather surveillance or infrared (IR) for covert or self-defense interception.
With great flexibility, the Mica can be fired at targets behind the aircraft, via a target designation transmitted by Link 16 from another aircraft. The IR version also works, as an additional infrared standby sensor, which mainly allows the transport aircraft to detect heat sources (reactors) in flight. The Mica also has an internal multi-target capability that allows the pilot to engage a group of close targets.
The Mica IR and EM missiles (Greece also has them in its arsenal) arm the Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale aircraft of the Air and Space Force, as well as the Rafale aircraft of the French Navy. The ongoing refurbishment program for the Air Force and Space Force’s Mirage 2000D will now enable that aircraft to use Mica IR missiles. This refurbishment allows for the necessary durability of equipment used every day by the Air and Space Force across its full range of missions, and provides a technological and tactical advantage, particularly in engagements on the eastern flank from Europe.
The pyrotechnic overhaul covers 300 projectiles. It will extend Mica’s life by at least ten years. According to the Military Planning Act (LPM), 50 refurbished missiles will be delivered in 2022. The following deliveries will last until 2026.
The Mica NG missile, the successor of the Mica missile, will renew the medium-range interception, close combat and self-defense capability of the Rafales Air and Space Force and the French Navy with increased capabilities. The Mica NG program, launched under the LPM, envisages a total of 567 missiles, for deliveries from 2026. It will allow maintaining a technological advantage, in the context of engagements during high-intensity conflicts.
