French missile maker MBDA announced it has been awarded a contract from the Egyptian Navy for the delivery of the VL MICA NG (new generation) air defense systems for its Gowind corvettes.
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 defense system.
The “new generation” system offers improved capabilities to handle atypical targets (UAVs, small aircraft), as well as future threats characterized 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, MBDA says.
It is worth noting that Egypt has already bought VL MICA missile systems for the four corvettes in the class.
Egypt is building the corvettes under a transfer of technology agreement with French shipbuilder Naval Group. The first unit was built by Naval Group and delivered to Egypt in 2017. The other three units are being built locally at the Alexandria shipyard.
“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,” Eric Béranger, MBDA CEO, said.
