Which MBDA weapon systems are being incorporated for IAF’s Rafale?

India’s Rafale will be equipped with MICA, a missile the Indian Air Force (IAF) knows very well as it is also part of the upgrade package for the IAF’s Mirage 2000 aircraft. MICA is the only missile in the world featuring two interoperable seekers (active radar and imaging infrared) to cover the spectrum from close-in dogfight to long beyond visual range. Its ability to fly out to BVR in passive mode before the seeker locks on in the final stages of the end-game has earned it the nickname ‘silent killer’ as the target has little time to react or to deploy effective countermeasures.

Also, fitted to Rafale is the Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missile, which is widely recognised as a game changer for air combat. Key to this is Meteor’s throttleable ramjet engine, active radar seeker and datalink that combine to provide unmatched end-game speed and manoeuvrability at greatly extended ranges, resulting in its all-important ‘No-Escape Zone’ being several times greater than any other existing or planned BVR weapons. With these two systems, the IAF will have unrivalled dominance of its regional skies. Rafale can also be equipped with the SCALP deep-strike cruise missile, providing the aircraft with the ability to strike hardened and protected targets deep inside hostile territory.

What is MBDA’s role in the Mirage 2000 upgradation programme?

Our MICA missile is an integral part of the IAF’s Mir