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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==

===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 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 overwhelming 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>

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 overwhelming 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>

===Iraq===

===Iraq===

By 1980, the MiG-23 had become one of the most important assets of the [[Iraq]]i Air Force, and Floggers were especially prominent in the initial air strikes that kicked off the [[Iran-Iraq War]].  Iraqi MiG-23s had a relatively poor record in the first year of the war, however.  Not only were their planes out-classed by the [[F-14 Tomcat]]s the Iranians flew, but the Iraqi pilots were generally not as well-trained as their counterparts.<ref>''Iranian F-14 Units in Combat'', by Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop, Osprey Publishing, 2004</ref>  Information on the MiG’s combat record is still sketchy, but MiG-23s definitely took heavy losses to Iranian F-14s and F-4s.  By late 1981, the Iraqi Air Force had become much more cautious with its Floggers, mainly relegating them to air-defense tasks.

By 1980, the MiG-23 had become one of the most important assets of the [[Iraq]]i Air Force, and Floggers were especially prominent in the initial air strikes that kicked off the [[Iran-Iraq War]].  Iraqi MiG-23s had a relatively poor record in the first year of the war, however.  Not only were their planes out-classed by the [[F-14 Tomcat]]s the Iranians flew, but the Iraqi pilots were generally not as well-trained as their counterparts.<ref>''Iranian F-14 Units in Combat'', by Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop, Osprey Publishing, 2004</ref>  Information on the MiG's combat record is still sketchy, but MiG-23s definitely took heavy losses to Iranian F-14s and F-4s.  By late 1981, the Iraqi Air Force had become much more cautious with its Floggers, mainly relegating them to air-defense tasks.

MiG-23BNs played a small role in the tanker war, sinking the tanker ''Moira'' and damaging two other ships.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_209.shtml Tanker War, 1980-1988]</ref>

MiG-23BNs played a small role in the tanker war, sinking the tanker ''Moira'' and damaging two other ships.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_209.shtml Tanker War, 1980-1988]</ref>