Malaysia Secures VL MICA Missile Deal with MBDA for LCS Fleet

Malaysia’s defence ministry announced that it has signed a Letter of Acceptance with MBDA France at the Farnborough International Airshow to procure VL MICA surface‑to‑air missiles for the Royal Malaysia Navy’s Maharaja Lela littoral combat ships. The agreement covers the supply of 29 missiles, valued at about US$126 million (RM 504.5 million), roughly one‑third of the ships’ total missile capacity. The deal follows Norway’s cancellation of a Naval Strike Missile contract earlier in the year, for which Malaysia is seeking compensation of more than US$244 million. The procurement is intended to give the five‑ship LCS programme, revived in 2023 after earlier delays, an operational air‑defence capability. Delivery of the first vessel, now expected in December, had already been postponed due to equipment delays and rework.