Malaysia progresses VL MICA acquisition for LCS

Malaysia has signed an LOA for the VL MICA anti-air missile system. (MBDA)

MBDA has confirmed that Malaysia is to acquire VL MICA surface-to-air missiles for its Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme.

The confirmation follows reports on 23 July that Malaysia's Ministry of Defence had signed a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) with MBDA for the acquisition.

An MBDA spokesperson told Janes that, following signature of the LOA, a contract establishing the production schedule for the VL MICA would follow without delay.

Malaysia is in the process of delivering five Maharaja Lela-class LCSs, based on Naval Group's Gowind design, to the RMN. The first ship in the class completed its maiden sea trials in April 2026.

Measuring about 111 m in length and displacing around 3,000 tonnes, the Maharaja Lela class is designed as a multi-mission combatant with anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The VL MICA has long been part of the class's planned weapons fit, but its procurement had not previously advanced this far publicly.

Other planned armaments include a 57 mm main gun, 30 mm remotely operated cannons, and anti-submarine torpedo systems.

The ships are also equipped with a sensor suite centred on the Thales SMART-S Mk 2 radar and CAPTAS-2 variable-depth sonar.

The VL MICA is a vertical-launch naval air-defence missile designed to engage aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, and other airborne threats.

The missile is designed to provide point and local-area defence against saturation attacks and can engage multiple targets simultaneously.

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