Egyptian Gowind Corvettes to get MBDA MICA NG Missiles

The Egyptian Navy became the first international customer for MBDA's Vertical  Launch MICA missile following a deal to sell an unspecified number of  missiles between the European MBDA and the Egyptian MoD.

MBDA has been awarded a contract from the Egyptian Navy for the VL (vertical launch) MICA NG (New Generation) air defence system to equip its Gowind class corvettes, an MBDA release said.

Officially launched in October 2020, the VL MICA NG system is based on the integration of the MICA NG (New Generation) missile into the existing VL MICA point and close area air defence system.

The VL MICA NG system offers improved capabilities to handle atypical targets (UAVs, small aircraft), as well as future threats characterised by increasingly low observable infrared and radio frequency signatures. Additionally, VL MICA NG will be able to intercept ‘conventional’ targets (aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles) at longer distances.

Eric Béranger, MBDA CEO, said: “This agreement proves the confidence of our Egyptian customer in our VL MICA family, which 15 armed forces around the world already use for the protection of their naval and land forces.”

The Egyptian Navy already equips its four Gowind class corvettes, recently procured from the French Naval Group shipyards, with systems from the VL MICA family.