Mitsotakis and Macron on frigate Kimon as Greece-France deals signed

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron boarded together the warship, which was built in France and recently delivered to the Hellenic Navy.

They were accompanied by the Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and the French Minister of Defense Catherine Vautrin, as well as other officials.

Macron wrote a message in the frigate’s guest book and spoke with its commander. Their presence there comes on the second day of the French president’s official visit to Athens.

Soon after, at Maximos Mansion, the two sides proceeded with the signing of agreements. The defense ministers of both countries signed the renewal of the Greece-France strategic partnership in security and defense, originally concluded in 2021.

According to information, the agreement includes a mutual assistance clause in the event of a threat or attack by a third country, covering violations of sovereignty on land, sea, or underwater territory.

Additionally, a contract was signed for the procurement of MICA missiles, which are intended for the Hellenic Air Force and are considered capable of striking targets beyond visual range.

The agreements also enhance cooperation in the field of defense innovation, involving the Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK AE) and its French counterpart.

Macron’s visit to Greece continues with joint statements to the media, while earlier there had been talk of further deepening bilateral cooperation in the economy, civil protection, and other sectors.

These developments take place within the framework of bilateral relations that have been strengthened in recent years, with an emphasis on the defense dimension.

Video of “KIMON”

MICA: The advanced missile system equipping Rafale and Mirage 2000

MICA brings new capabilities to French fighter jets.

This is the Missile Interception Combat Autodefense, a multi-functional air-to-air missile system primarily designed for Rafale aircraft, and also integrated into the latest versions of the Mirage 2000-5.

This weapon stands out for its ability to perform missions under different combat conditions, offering flexibility to pilots.

MICA can operate effectively both at beyond visual range (BVR) and in close-range (SR) engagements.

In BVR battles, where pilots do not directly see the target and rely on radar, the system allows detection and missile launch from long distances. Yet, it does not lose its effectiveness when the distance decreases and the fight becomes more immediate.

Two versions for different needs

The weapon has two main variants depending on the type of seeker used.

The RF MICA relies on radar and provides the ability to operate in all weather conditions.

On the other hand, the IR MICA uses a dual-spectrum infrared imaging seeker.

This version excels in “invisible” interception, as the infrared seeker operates without emitting signals that could warn the opponent.

According to available data, MICA outperforms in certain aspects compared to other long-range missiles, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, precisely due to this IR seeker feature.

Guidance is provided by active radar, supported by a data link with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities.

Technical specifications

The system carries a 12-kilogram blast fragmentation warhead. It weighs 112 kilograms, has a length of 3.1 meters, and a diameter of 16 centimeters. Its wing span is 56 centimeters.

According to specifications, its range varies from 500 meters to 60 kilometers, while it can reach speeds up to Mach 4. MICA is designed to be carried by the Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale fighter jets.

Its performance combined with guidance flexibility makes it an important tool for air forces wishing to cover both long-range and close threats with the same weapon.

The information is derived from technical data publicly available for this missile system.

MICA missile video