Exclusive: French Ministry confirms delivery of two Mica VL air defense systems ahead of Paris Olympics.

The first two Mica VL systems will replace the Crotale NG units transferred to Ukraine, with delivery scheduled before summer 2024, aimed at enhancing security for the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The procurement of these air defense systems is detailed in the French National Assembly's report n° 1745, submitted on October 14, 2023. The 2024 finance bill proposes increasing the budget for Program 146, Equipment of the Forces, to €24.4 billion in commitments (a 3.7% increase) and €16.6 billion in payments (a 7.9% increase). This budget augmentation aligns with the progression of armament programs initiated by the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM) and continues with the 2024-2030 LPM.

Under this framework, the 2024-2030 LPM allocates €5 billion to surface-to-air defense, funding various anti-aircraft weaponry programs. This funding aims to modernize and develop existing capacities and consolidate the stockpile of anti-aircraft missiles, adhering to a war economy logic. The emphasis is on medium-range and low-layer ground-to-air defense.

The DSABC program, standing for "Défense Surface-Air Basse Couche" (Low-Layer Surface-to-Air Defense), was launched in 2023 to renew and modernize short-range surface-to-air defense capabilities for the Army, the Air and Space Force, and the Navy. Priorities set with the armed forces include renewing the short-range Crotale component for the Air and Space Force (with two systems delivered to Ukraine from the existing 12), creating a mobile and protected terrestrial maneuver support component for the Army, and ensuring the self-protection of second-tier ships for the Navy.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/army-news-2024/exclusive-french-ministry-confirms-delivery-of-two-mica-vl-air-defense-systems-ahead-of-paris-olympics