This is the VL MICA anti-aircraft defense system that France has deployed at the Olympic Games

This is the VL MICA anti-aircraft defense system that France has deployed at the Olympic Games

Part of the huge security deployment to protect the thirty-third edition of the Olympic Games is he DPSAinitials of Dispositif Particulier de Surveillance Aérienne or Special Air Surveillance Devicethat France put into practice when large events are held on its territory. Its purpose is to monitor and protect restricted areas from potential air threats, such as Unauthorized aircraft, drones or any other type of air intrusion that may endanger security. As part of the Olympic DPSA, France has deployed the VL MICA anti-aircraft defence system in the city of Marseille.

According to BFM Marseille Provence, the air defence system was installed on an elevated area in the Marseille area, the Olympic venue where sailing competitions are held, at the beginning of July and will remain there until the end of the Olympic Games..

VL MICA.MBDA.

The general Stéphane Groëncommander of air security operations for the Olympic Games, has told the media that the VL MICA could countering a 9/11-type threat targeting Marseille city centre or the Olympic venues. If an air intrusion is identified as hostile, operators will receive orders to neutralize it. This deployment, within the framework of the Operation Sentinel JOP 2024represents the first operational use of the VL MICA by the French Air and Space Force.

The manufacturer MBDAproperty of BAE Systems, Airbus Group and Leonardoprovided the armed forces two VL MICA systems, in their terrestrial versionto fill the gap left by the transfer of air defense systems Crotale NG to UkraineFrance plans to purchase 12 MICA VLs to replace them.

The MICA, Missile d’Interception, de Combat et d’Auto-défense or Interception, Combat and Self-Defense Missiledeveloped by MBDA, is a multi-target, all-weather, fire-and-forget anti-aircraft missile system (once launched, it requires no further intervention or guidance from the operator), designed for use at short and medium range by air platforms, ground units and ships.

Initially developed in 1996 for fighters Rafale and Mirage 2000 French, the MICA has dual guidance system —infrared, IR, and radio frequency, RF guidance—, allowing it to engage a variety of targets in different weather conditions. Fire-and-forget capability allows the simultaneous confrontation with multiple objectivesThe MICA system is used by several air forces, including those of France, the United Arab Emirates, Greece and Taiwan.

VL MICA.
VL MICA.MBDA.

The VL MICA, introduced in 2010, is a land-based and naval variant of the MICA missile, which provides short range air defense. It retains the dual guide system technology, providing coverage of 360 degrees and a high rate of fire, with a two second launch interval. The system can face targets within a range of up to 20 kilometers and altitudes above 9 kilometers. A more modern version, the VL MICA NG o New Generation, extends the range to 40 kilometers and has improved propulsion.

The VL MICA system is capable of engaging a wide range of aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and tactical and cruise missilesIn the French armed forces, each system comprises a Tactical Operations CenterTOC, connected to two vertical launchers, each equipped with four interceptor missiles, and a radar GM200 produced by ThalesThe TOC houses all operational functions, including consoles for engagement coordination and tactical integration. The system is particularly effective against saturation attacks by low-signature targets such as guided bombs or missiles.