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The MiG-23 ([[NATO]] codename:  Flogger) is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-made jet fighter, built to replace the [[MiG-21]].  It was the Soviet Union’s first true multi-role fighter, and has been widely exported.

The '''MiG-23''' ([[NATO]] codename:  Flogger) is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-made jet fighter, built to replace the [[MiG-21]].  It was the Soviet Union’s first true multi-role fighter, and has been widely exported.

==Development==

==Development==

==Design and Variants==

==Design and Variants==

A single Tumansky turbojet engine powers the MiG-23, giving it a maximum speed of 1550 mph.  It carries a 23 mm cannon and has four pylons under the wings and fuselage for missiles or bombs.  Avionics and range are better than in the MiG-21, but the newer plane is also more complex and not as maneuverable, leading some air forces to turn down the Flogger in favor of keeping their Fishbeds.

A single Tumansky turbojet engine powers the MiG-23, giving it a maximum speed of 1550 mph.  It carries a 23 mm cannon and has four pylons under the wings and fuselage for missiles or bombs.  Avionics and range are better than in the MiG-21, but the newer plane is also more complex and not as maneuverable, leading some air forces to turn down the Flogger in favor of keeping their Fishbeds.

The Flogger came out with a number of variants.  The MiG-23BN is optimized for ground attack, while the MiG-23ML “Flogger-G” is an air superiority fighter, and the MiG-23UB is the two seat trainer version.  

The Flogger came out with a number of variants.  The MiG-23BN is optimized for ground attack, while the MiG-23ML “Flogger-G” is an air superiority fighter, and the MiG-23UB is the two seat trainer version.  

===Syria===

===Syria===

The MiG-23 had a poor record against [[Israel]]i aircraft, but, contrary to earlier reports, [[Syria]]n Floggers did score some successes.  Soon after they became operational, in April of 1974 (a time of undeclared conflict between Syria and Israel similar to the [[War of Attrition]]), MiG-23 pilot Captain al-Masry was on a weapons test flight when he detected eight Israeli [[F-4 Phantom]]s and attacked.  He fired three air-to-air missiles, two of which hit and downed their targets, the first kills for the MiG-23.  As the formation scattered, he attempted to engage another F-4, but was hit by two missiles (which may have come from a Syrian [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] site!), breaking his plane in two and forcing him to eject.  Though injured, Al-Masry was recovered safely and decorated for his actions in the face of over-whelming odds.  Syria used its Floggers sparingly after that, and it wasn’t until April of 1981 that they saw action again.  Patrolling MiG-23 pilots shot down two IAF [[A-4 Skyhawk]]s that were bombing [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] positions in [[Lebanon]].<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_273.shtml Early MiG-23M/MS Floggers in Action]</ref>

The MiG-23 had a poor record against [[Israel]]i aircraft, but, contrary to earlier reports, [[Syria]]n Floggers did score some successes.  Soon after they became operational, in April 1974 (a time of undeclared conflict between Syria and Israel similar to the [[War of Attrition]]), MiG-23 pilot Captain al-Masry was on a weapons test flight when he detected eight Israeli [[F-4 Phantom]]s and attacked.  He fired three air-to-air missiles, two of which hit and downed their targets, the first kills for the MiG-23.  As the formation scattered, he attempted to engage another F-4, but was hit by two missiles (which may have come from a Syrian [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]] site!), breaking his plane in two and forcing him to eject.  Though injured, Al-Masry was recovered safely and decorated for his actions in the face of over-whelming odds.  Syria used its Floggers sparingly after that, and it wasn’t until April 1981 that they saw action again.  Patrolling MiG-23 pilots shot down two IAF [[A-4 Skyhawk]]s that were bombing [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] positions in [[Lebanon]].<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_273.shtml Early MiG-23M/MS Floggers in Action]</ref>

Floggers were more prominent in the 1982 Lebanon War (Operation Peace for Galilee), when they and MiG-21s attempted to challenge the IAF in force, resulting in one of the largest aerial battles in post-WWII history.  On June 7, a MiG-23 became the first Syrian loss of the war when it was downed by an [[F-15 Eagle]], while another Flogger pilot claimed to have shot down an [[F-16]] on the same day.<ref>''Israeli F-15 Eagles in Combat'', by Shlomo Aloni, Osprey Publishing, 2006</ref>  The Syrians claimed that their MiG-23s downed four more F-16s and two F-4s during the four day aerial battle, although these claims remain unconfirmed.<ref>[http://backfiretu-22m.tripod.com/id11.html The MiG-23 Combat Record]</ref>  Israeli F-15s and F-16s shot down approximately 25 MiG-23s.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_270.shtml Israeli Air-to-Air Victories since 1974]</ref>

Floggers were more prominent in the 1982 Lebanon War (Operation Peace for Galilee), when they and MiG-21s attempted to challenge the IAF in force, resulting in one of the largest aerial battles in post-WWII history.  On June 7, a MiG-23 became the first Syrian loss of the war when it was downed by an [[F-15 Eagle]], while another Flogger pilot claimed to have shot down an [[F-16]] on the same day.<ref>''Israeli F-15 Eagles in Combat'', by Shlomo Aloni, Osprey Publishing, 2006</ref>  The Syrians claimed that their MiG-23s downed four more F-16s and two F-4s during the four day aerial battle, although these claims remain unconfirmed.<ref>[http://backfiretu-22m.tripod.com/id11.html The MiG-23 Combat Record]</ref>  Israeli F-15s and F-16s shot down approximately 25 MiG-23s.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_270.shtml Israeli Air-to-Air Victories since 1974]</ref>

On October 11, 1989, a Syrian MiG-23 pilot defected to Israel with his plane.  Israel kept and evaluated the plane, which is now in the Israel Air Force Museum.<ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~anneled/ColdWar.html Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns, and Defections in the Cold War and Thereafter]</ref>

On October 11, 1989, a Syrian MiG-23 pilot defected to Israel with his plane.  Israel kept and evaluated the plane, which is now in the Israel Air Force Museum.<ref>[http://home.comcast.net/~anneled/ColdWar.html Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns, and Defections in the Cold War and Thereafter]</ref>

In April of 2002, a MiG-23 downed an Israeli reconnaissance drone that had entered Syrian airspace.  According to reports, after this the Israeli air force temporarily stopped all recon flights on or near the border with Syria.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_437.shtml Israeli-Syrian Shadow Boxing]</ref>

In April 2002, a MiG-23 downed an Israeli reconnaissance drone that had entered Syrian airspace.  According to reports, after this the Israeli air force temporarily stopped all recon flights on or near the border with Syria.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_437.shtml Israeli-Syrian Shadow Boxing]</ref>

===Libya===

===Libya===

Starting in 1984, Cuban MiG-23s were in [[Angola]] aiding the Communist government against [[UNITA]] rebels and the South African military.  The MiGs engaged [[South Africa]]n [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirages]] in a number of dogfights between September 1987 and February 1988, one of which resulted in a loss for the South Africans when a Mirage suffered damage from an Apex air-to-air missile and crashed while trying to land.  Floggers were also involved in ground attack missions.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_184.shtml Angola: Claims and Reality about SAAF Loses]</ref>

Starting in 1984, Cuban MiG-23s were in [[Angola]] aiding the Communist government against [[UNITA]] rebels and the South African military.  The MiGs engaged [[South Africa]]n [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirages]] in a number of dogfights between September 1987 and February 1988, one of which resulted in a loss for the South Africans when a Mirage suffered damage from an Apex air-to-air missile and crashed while trying to land.  Floggers were also involved in ground attack missions.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_184.shtml Angola: Claims and Reality about SAAF Loses]</ref>

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[MiG-27]]

*[[MiG-27]]