Tigers – the first squadron of Indian Air Force, successfully fired the recently acquired long-range Beyond Visual Range (BAV) air-to-air MICA missile. The Mica missiles were newly acquired from France.
The IAF tested the Mica missile from a manoeuvring target released from the upgraded Mirage 2000 aircraft. The Mica missile directly hit the target that was not only flying at a lower altitude but also was smaller than the missile.
Here is what you should know about the MICA missiles:
- ‘MICA’ abbreviated to “Missile d’interception, de combat et d’autodéfense” in French meaning, “interception, combat and self-defence missile”.
- The Mica missiles are known to have a high level of tactical flexibility with multi-mission, multi-target Beyond Visual Range (BVR) capability. It is also known to perform well in Enhanced Short Range (SR).
- Mica missiles are known to have an operational range of 50 km and measure 3.1 meters in length.
- India had finalised a deal with France to upgrade all of its Mirage 2000 aircraft to the most advanced variant of Mirage 2000, the Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2.
- The new Mirage 2000-5 Mark 2 variant boasts new radar systems, a new weapon suite, missiles, electronic warfare system and modern electronic warfare.
- With successful demonstration of the missile’s launch envelope, the IAF has become one of the few Air Forces in the world with the capability of such long range beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
- India purchased 450 MICAs from European missile major MBDA as part of the Mirage 2000 upgrade deal from France in 2012 for $1.23 billion.
- The MICA will be mounted on the 36 Rafale combat jets that India is purchasing from France, the deal for which was inked on September 23.
The multi-mission air-to-air missile system is currently in service with the French Air Force and Navy and several foreign Forces.
