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Air ForcesRussia

MiG-23ML (Flogger-G)

Fighter aircraftFielded 1978Pending verification
Air ForcesRUS
MiG-23ML (Flogger-G)
Photo: Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeFighter aircraft
Date of introduction1978
ProliferationAt least 6 countries
ManufacturerMikoyan-Gurevich / MikoyanMed[1]
Crew1Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length15.88 m52 ftMed[1]
Wing area27.3 m sqMed[1]
Height4.8 m16 ftMed[1]
Empty weight10,000 kg22,046 lbMed[1]
Flight performance
Engine1 x Khachaturov R-35-300Med[1]
Service ceiling18,300 m60,039 ftMed[1]
G limits+8.5Med[1]
Rate of climb230 m/sMed[1]
Armament and payload
Hardpoints2 × fuselage, 2 × wing glove and 2 × wing pylons with a capacity of up to 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) of storesMed[1]
Missile Systems: air-to-air missiles*2 × R-60 *R-73 *2 × R-23 *R-77 *2 × R-27RMed[1]
Missile Systems: air-to-surface missiles*Kh-23 GromMed[1]
Bomb Weapon SystemsBombs: Up to 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs per hardpointMed[1]
ArmamentGryazev-Shipunov GSh-23; R-23; NATO: AA-7 Apex; S-5Med[1]
Fire control
Search/Track RadarHigh Lark J-bandMed[1]
InfraredIRST with IR sensorMed[1]
Radar WarningSirena 3Med[1]
Weapons and payload options · 3Confidence · Source
Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23Autocannon
Med[1]
Quantity
1 × 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23L autocannon
Type
Autocannon
Caliber
23mm
Rate of fire
3,400–3,600 rounds/min
R-23; NATO: AA-7 ApexAir-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
35 km22 mi · 19 nmi
Type
Air-to-Air Missile
Guidance
semi-active radar homing
Warhead
expanding-rod high explosive
Warhead weight
25 kg
Speed
Mach 3
Length
4.50 m
S-5Rocket
Med[1]
Type
Rocket
Summary

MiG-23ML The early "Flogger" variants were intended to be used in high-speed missile attacks, but it was soon noticed that fighters often had to engage in more stressful close-in combat. Early production aircraft had actually suffered cracks in the fuselage during their service career.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
RussiaAngolaCubaLibyaNorth KoreaSyria
Sources
  1. MiG-23ML (Flogger-G) Russian Fighter Aircraft, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import
  • 2026-10-10 Added photo (CC BY-SA 2.0)