MBDA has been awarded a contract from the Egyptian Navy for the VL MICA NG (New Generation) air defence system to equip its Egyptian corvettes.
www.navalnews.com
So from which i understand the VL MICA NG will be retrofitted into the new Gowind class frigates.
VL MICA NG was unveiled during Euronaval 2020. The main evolution of the MICA NG compared to the existing MICA are:
- Extension of the motor with the addition of a second pulse (max Interception range increased to 40 km, similar to the reference on the market: Raytheon’s ESSM).
- Compression of other equipment
- Introduction of latest technologies such as dual pulse motor, AESA RF seeker and FPA IIR seeker
So there is an extension of the motor, not an additional booster. I wonder if the new MICA NG directly fits in the existing launch tubes.
We continue with the Egyptian Navy.
The Egyptian Navy’s latest frigate, Bernees (FFG 1003), recently started sea trials from La Spezia on 15 February. The ship was planned to become the “Emilio Bianchi” for the Italian Navy, but the Italians decided to sell two FREMM-frigates to Egypt. This is the second of the two, the first delivered by Italy is the Al Galala 1002.
These two Italian built FREMMs come on top of the French built Tahya Misr 1001, Egypt's first FREMM-ship. So in total the Egtptian Navy will have 3 FREMM-frigates.
The second of two FREMM frigates to be delivered by Fincantieri to Egypt started sea trials in mid-February according to photographs obtained by Naval News. Formerly known as "Emilio Bianchi", the frigate has been named: BERNEES (FFG 1003)
www.navalnews.com