FARNBOROUGH, UK — The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has signed a Letter of Acceptance (Surat Setuju Terima, or SST) with MBDA France for the procurement of the Vertical Launch MICA (VL MICA) surface-to-air missile system for the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).
The agreement was finalized on July 20, 2026, during the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. Although the full contract has not yet been signed, the SST was formally signed by MINDEF Secretary-General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali on behalf of the Malaysian government.
According to MINDEF, the procurement is an essential complementary contract for the Royal Malaysian Navy's Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programme. The ministry said the missile system will provide the ships with point-defence air capabilities required for operational missions.
In an official statement issued on July 22, MINDEF said the acquisition is intended to ensure the LCS fleet has air defence capabilities that meet the operational requirements of the Royal Malaysian Navy. The ministry also said the procurement supports Malaysia's efforts to strengthen its maritime defence posture in response to evolving regional geopolitical developments.
Following the announcement, an MBDA spokesperson confirmed the milestone in a statement to Naval News, saying, "A letter of agreement has been signed and a contract has to be signed without delay to secure VL MICA manufacturing timeline for the Royal Malaysian Navy."
The SST follows an earlier Letter of Intent (LOI) issued during the DSA 2026 exhibition in Malaysia for the procurement of 29 VL MICA missiles.
VL MICA Air Defence System
The Vertical Launch MICA is a fire-and-forget surface-to-air missile system designed to provide 360-degree, all-weather point defence against a range of airborne threats, including anti-ship missiles, precision-guided munitions, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The system is available with two seeker options: active radar (MICA RF) and imaging infrared (MICA IR). It uses vertical launch canisters integrated into the ship and supports high-rate salvo engagements.
Malaysia has selected the legacy VL MICA missile rather than the newer VL MICA NG variant. The selected version has a maximum interception range of up to 20 kilometres.
Maharaja Lela-Class LCS Programme
The Maharaja Lela-class ships, also known as the Second Generation Patrol Vessel-Littoral Combat Ship (SGPV-LCS), are based on Naval Group's Gowind 2500 design. Malaysia selected the design in late 2011 after it was chosen over the MEKO 200 and Sigma-class proposals.
The production contract was signed in July 2014 with Boustead Naval Shipyard, which now operates as Lumut Naval Shipyard (LNS).
The programme originally called for six ships but was later revised to five following a government review. The project has experienced delays over the years due to various challenges, including cost issues and equipment deliveries. Construction is now progressing under direct oversight by the Malaysian government and Lumut Naval Shipyard.
The lead ship, Maharaja Lela (LCS 1), began sea trials in April 2026 and continued further testing in May. LCS 3, Sharif Mashor, was launched in February 2026, while LCS 2 and LCS 3 have been seen in the fitting-out stage at the Lumut Naval Shipyard. Delivery of the first vessel is targeted for December 2026.
Closing an Important Capability Gap
MINDEF said the acquisition marks an important step toward completing the weapons fit of the Maharaja Lela-class fleet by providing the ships with the required point-defence air capability.
The procurement addresses a key capability gap for the Royal Malaysian Navy and supports the operational readiness of the LCS fleet as construction and sea trials continue.
Comparison with LMS Batch II Programme
The procurement timeline for the LCS air defence system differs from the Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) Batch II programme.
For the LMS Batch II fleet, MINDEF signed a contract with South Korea's LIG Defense & Aerospace in April 2026 for the Haegung (K-SAAM) surface-to-air missile system. That procurement moved ahead while vessels under the LMS Batch II programme, contracted in 2024, continue to be built in Turkey.
Source : navalnews
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