List of MiG-23 operators
This is a list of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 operators. Active operators are in bold OperatorsMilitaryAs of 2021, the MiG-23 is operated by the air forces of Angola, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Zimbabwe. AfghanistanThe Afghan Air Force received a total of 53 MiG-23MS between 1988 and 1990 following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.[1] Most aircraft were shot down or destroyed on the ground during the Afghan Civil War.[2][3] AlgeriaThe Algerian Air Force (Force Aerienne Algerienne) received a total of around 80 MiG-23s of various marks from the Soviet Union, with deliveries beginning in 1979 and all aircraft retired by 2004.
AngolaThe Angolan People's Air Force (FAPA) received at least 80 MiG-23MLs from the Soviet Union. Additionally, aircraft operated by the Cuban Air Force and later Executive Outcomes mercenary pilots flew from Angolan bases. After the change of government in 1992, the Angolan MiG-23s were stored until 2005, when they were refurbished in Ukraine and upgraded to MiG-23MLD standard. Around 22 remain in service today.[4]
BelarusVarious units of both the Soviet Air Defence Forces and Soviet Tactical Aviation became part of the Belarusian Air Force (VPS) upon the USSR's dissolution. These included a single unit of MiG-23MLD fighters, as well as units operating other aircraft such as Sukhoi Su-27 fighters and Sukhoi Su-24 bombers, which retained MiG-23UB trainers on strength as trainers. All MiG-23s were retired from Belarusian service by 2001.[5]
BulgariaThe Bulgarian Air Force began operating the MiG-23 in 1976. All aircraft were retired by 2004.
Côte d'IvoireThe Ivorian Air Force purchased several MiG-23MLAE-2 fighters from a Bulgarian company. These were never flown in combat, and were impounded in Togo shortly after delivery at the request of the French government.
CubaCuba introduced it to supplement the MiG-21 and replace the MiG-15 and MiG-17. Receipts began from the Soviet Union on June 6, 1968, and at that time the fighter-bomber type MiG-23BN Frogger H x 14 and the two-seat trainer type MiG-23UB Frogger C x 2 were introduced. was. It is said that MiG-23MS was also introduced at this time, but it is unclear. On October 3 of the same year, the first naval exercise in history was held. In 1982, an additional 14 MiG-23BNs were deployed, and in 1983, an additional 17 aircraft were deployed. At this stage, the number of MiG-23BN increased to 45 aircraft. Furthermore, 2 MiG-23UBs were added, bringing the number of MiG-23UBs to 4. In 1984, 12 MiG-23MF Frogger B fighter aircraft were imported. Subsequently, towards the end of the 1980s, 54 MiG-23ML Frogger G multi-role fighter aircraft and seven MiG-23UM Frogger C two-seat trainer aircraft were introduced. This expanded MiG-23 force was also dispatched to the Angola civil war and used in air combat. However, with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the supply of parts was disrupted, and the number of aircraft in operation decreased. The Air Force currently operates a small number of these aircraft.[1][2]
CzechoslovakiaCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of the Congo
East GermanyEgyptEgypt has been major operator of mig 23 EritreaEthiopiaHungaryIsraelIndiaIraqKazakhstanUpon gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the Kazakhstan air force inherited several MiG-23MLD fighters as well as MiG-23UB trainers integrated into MiG-27 squadrons.[citation needed] The MLDs were retired by 1999,[citation needed] but MiG-23UBs remained in active service as late as February 2023.[7] By February 2024, the last 2 MiG-2UBs were withdrawn from service and put on sale.[8] For information on the Mikoyan MiG-27s in service with the Kazakh air force, see List of MiG-27 operators.
LibyaNamibiaNorth KoreaPolandRomaniaSoviet Union
Sri LankaThe Sri Lanka Air Force operated a single MiG-23UB attached to the No. 12 Squadron SLAF as a conversion trainer for its fleet of MiG-27s from 2007 to 2019. SudanSyriaTurkmenistanAfter Turkmenistan's declaration of independence in 1991, the Turkmen Air Force inherited a number of MiG-23s from the Soviet 73rd Air Army, which remained in use until 2000.
UgandaUkraineBetween 1992 and 2001, the Ukrainian Air Force operated around 200 MiG-23s, both single-seaters and MiG-23UB trainers.
ZimbabweThe manner in which the Air Force of Zimbabwe received its MiG-23s is unknown, with some sources suggesting that they were donated by Libya while others say that the aircraft were acquired from the Democratic Republic of Congo after a failed Zimbabwean attempt to train Congolese pilots on the aircraft, which were donated by Libya. Regardless, at least aircraft, the sole MiG-23UB, remains in service today.[9] Evaluation OnlyChinaSix MiG-23s of various models were purchased by the Chinese government from Egypt during the 1970s.
United KingdomUnited StatesYugoslaviaCivilianAngolaSeveral MiG-23s were flown and operated by Ibis Air on behalf of Executive Outcomes mercenaries and the Angolan government during the Angolan Civil War.[10] United StatesThere are 11 civilian-owned MiG-23s registered in the United States of America according to the FAA.[11] These include:
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