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List of MiG-23 operators

August 24, 2023

This is a list of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 operators. Active operators are in bold

Operators

Main article: MiG-23

Military

As 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.

Algeria

The 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.

  • 4e Escadre de Chasse-Bombardement, Ourgla
  • 21e Escadre de Chasse-Bombardement, Laghouat
    • 27e Escadron d'Attaque (MiG-23BN)
    • 28e Escadron d'Interception (MiG-23MS, MiG-23MF, MiG-23UB)

Angola

The 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.[1]

  • Angolan People's Air Force (FAPA)
    • 25th Air Combat Fighter Regiment
      • 12th Fighter Squadron (MiG-23ML, MiG-23UB)
      • 13th Fighter Squadron (MiG-23ML, MiG-23UB)
  • Angolan National Air Force (FANA)
    • 25th Air Combat Fighter Regiment, Kuito
      • 12th Fighter Squadron (MiG-23MLD, MiG-23UB)
      • 13th Fighter Squadron (MiG-23MLD, MiG-23UB)

Belarus

Various 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.[2]

  • VPS
    • 201st IAP, Minsk (MiG-23MLD, MiG-23UB)
    • 116th BAP
      • Proficiency training flight operating MiG-23UB
    • 927th IAP, Byaroza (MiG-23UB)

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Air Force began operating the MiG-23 in 1976. All aircraft were retired by 2004.

  • Bulgarian Air Force (1978-1992)
  • Bulgarian Air Force (1992-2001)
    • 1st Fighter Base, Dobroslavtsi (MiG-23BN, MiG-23MF, MG-23MLD, MiG-23UB)
  • Bulgarian Air Force (2001-2004)

Côte d'Ivoire

The 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.

Cuba

  • Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force
    • Mano de Defensa Aerea
      • Zona Aerea Oeste
        • 2a Brigada de Guardia "Playa Giron"
          • 23o Regimiento de Caza, San Julián
            • 232o Escuadron de Caza, San Julián (MiG-23MF, MiG-23ML, MiG-23UB)
    • Mando Aereo Tactico
      • 14o Regimiento de Apoyo Tactico, Santa Clara (MiG-23BN) (FUERA DE SERVICIO)
        • 141o Escuadron de Apoyo Tactico, Santa Clara (MiG-23BN) (FUERA DE SERVICIO)
  1. incomplete


Czechoslovakia

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

East Germany

Egypt

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Hungary

Israel

India

Iraq

Iran

Kazakhstan

Upon 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. The MLDs were retired by 1999, but MiG-23UBs remain in active service as of 2022. For information on the Mikoyan MiG-27s in service with the Kazakh air force, see List of MiG-27 operators.

  • Kazakhstan Air Force (1991-2000)
    • 129th APIB, Taldykorgan (MiG-23UB)
    • 134th APIB, Zhangiztobe (MiG-23UB)
    • 715th IAP, Loogovaya (MiG-23M, MiG-23MLD, MiG-23UB)
  • Republic of Kazakhstan Air Defence Force (2000–present)
    • 604th Aviation Base, Taldykorgan (MiG-23UB)

Libya

Namibia

North Korea

Poland

Romania

Soviet Union

Sri Lanka

The 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.

Sudan

Syria

Turkmenistan

After 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.

  • Turkmenistan Air Force
    • 55th IAP PVO, Nebit-Dag (MiG-23P, MiG-23UB)
    • 107th IAP PVO, Akdepe (MiG-23P, MiG-23UB)
    • 689th GvIAP, Türkmenbaşy (MiG-23P, MiG-23UB)
    • VVS depot, Serdar (MiG-23M, MiG-23MLD, MiG-23P, MiG-23UB)

Uganda

Ukraine

Between 1992 and 2001, the Ukrainian Air Force operated around 200 MiG-23s, both single-seaters and MiG-23UB trainers.

  • Ukrainian Air Force
    • Southern Air Defence Region
      • 737th VAP, Chervonoglinskoye (MiG-23M, MiG-23MLD)
    • Western Air Defence Region
      • 179th VAP, Stryi (MiG-23M, MiG-23MLD)
      • 894th VAP, Ozyornoye (MiG-23M, MiG-23MLD)
    • 114th VAP, Ivano-Frankivsk (MiG-23UB)
    • 642nd GvIAP, Martynovka (MiG-23UB)

Zimbabwe

The 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.[4]

Evaluation Only

China

Six MiG-23s of various models were purchased by the Chinese government from Egypt during the 1970s.

  • People's Liberation Army Air Force (MiG-23MS, MiG-23BN, MiG-23UB)

United Kingdom

United States

Yugoslavia

Civilian

Angola

Several MiG-23s were flown and operated by Ibis Air on behalf of Executive Outcomes mercenaries and the Angolan government during the Angolan Civil War.[5]

United States

There are 11 civilian-owned MiG-23s registered in the United States of America according to the FAA.[6] These include:

References

  1. ^ "World Air Forces 2021". flightglobal.com.
  2. ^ "Force Report | Part 1 Of The Belarusian AF & Air Defence". www.key.aero. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  3. ^ Mitzer, Stijn; Oliemans, Joost. "Beast from the East - Bulgaria's MiG-25 Foxbats". Oryxspioenkop. from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  4. ^ Oryx. "Flying History: Zimbabwe's Proud Aircraft Tradition". Oryx. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  5. ^ Singer, P. W. (2003). Corporate Warriors: The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry (Updated ed.). New York: Cornell University Press. p. 106. ISBN 9780801459603. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  6. ^ "MiG-23." 5 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine U.S. FAA – Registry of Aircraft. Retrieved: 28 January 2011.
  7. ^ "MiG-23." Warbirds of Delaware. Retrieved: 28 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Mig-23." Cold War Air Museum. Retrieved: 28 January 2011.

August 24, 2023
list, operators, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, december, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources List of MiG 23 operators news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message This is a list of Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 23 operators Active operators are in bold Contents 1 Operators 1 1 Military 1 1 1 Algeria 1 1 2 Angola 1 1 3 Belarus 1 1 4 Bulgaria 1 1 5 Cote d Ivoire 1 1 6 Cuba 1 1 7 Czechoslovakia 1 1 8 Czech Republic 1 1 9 Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 1 10 East Germany 1 1 11 Egypt 1 1 12 Eritrea 1 1 13 Ethiopia 1 1 14 Hungary 1 1 15 Israel 1 1 16 India 1 1 17 Iraq 1 1 18 Iran 1 1 19 Kazakhstan 1 1 20 Libya 1 1 21 Namibia 1 1 22 North Korea 1 1 23 Poland 1 1 24 Romania 1 1 25 Soviet Union 1 1 26 Sri Lanka 1 1 27 Sudan 1 1 28 Syria 1 1 29 Turkmenistan 1 1 30 Uganda 1 1 31 Ukraine 1 1 32 Zimbabwe 1 2 Evaluation Only 1 2 1 China 1 2 2 United Kingdom 1 2 3 United States 1 2 4 Yugoslavia 1 3 Civilian 1 3 1 Angola 1 3 2 United States 2 ReferencesOperators EditMain article MiG 23 Military Edit As 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 Algeria Edit The 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 4e Escadre de Chasse Bombardement Ourgla 21e Escadre de Chasse Bombardement Laghouat 27e Escadron d Attaque MiG 23BN 28e Escadron d Interception MiG 23MS MiG 23MF MiG 23UB Angola Edit The 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 1 Angolan People s Air Force FAPA 25th Air Combat Fighter Regiment 12th Fighter Squadron MiG 23ML MiG 23UB 13th Fighter Squadron MiG 23ML MiG 23UB Angolan National Air Force FANA 25th Air Combat Fighter Regiment Kuito 12th Fighter Squadron MiG 23MLD MiG 23UB 13th Fighter Squadron MiG 23MLD MiG 23UB Belarus Edit Various 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 2 VPS 201st IAP Minsk MiG 23MLD MiG 23UB 116th BAP Proficiency training flight operating MiG 23UB 927th IAP Byaroza MiG 23UB Bulgaria Edit The Bulgarian Air Force began operating the MiG 23 in 1976 All aircraft were retired by 2004 Bulgarian Air Force 1978 1992 25th IBAP IBAB Cheshnegirovo MiG 23BN MiG 23UB 18th IAP Dobroslavtsi MiG 23MF MiG 23UB 26th Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment Tolbukhin MiG 23MLD 3 Bulgarian Air Force 1992 2001 1st Fighter Base Dobroslavtsi MiG 23BN MiG 23MF MG 23MLD MiG 23UB Bulgarian Air Force 2001 2004 1st Squadron Graf Ignatievo MiG 23MF MiG 23UB Cote d Ivoire Edit The 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 Ivorian Air Force Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport MiG 23MLAE 2 Cuba Edit Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force Mano de Defensa Aerea Zona Aerea Oeste 2a Brigada de Guardia Playa Giron 23o Regimiento de Caza San Julian 232o Escuadron de Caza San Julian MiG 23MF MiG 23ML MiG 23UB Mando Aereo Tactico 14o Regimiento de Apoyo Tactico Santa Clara MiG 23BN FUERA DE SERVICIO 141o Escuadron de Apoyo Tactico Santa Clara MiG 23BN FUERA DE SERVICIO incomplete Czechoslovakia Edit Czech Republic Edit Democratic Republic of the Congo Edit Congo Air Force Kinshasa N djili Airport MiG 23MS MiG 23UB East Germany Edit Egypt Edit Eritrea Edit Ethiopia Edit Hungary Edit Israel Edit India Edit Iraq Edit Iran Edit Kazakhstan Edit Upon 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 The MLDs were retired by 1999 but MiG 23UBs remain in active service as of 2022 For information on the Mikoyan MiG 27s in service with the Kazakh air force see List of MiG 27 operators Kazakhstan Air Force 1991 2000 129th APIB Taldykorgan MiG 23UB 134th APIB Zhangiztobe MiG 23UB 715th IAP Loogovaya MiG 23M MiG 23MLD MiG 23UB Republic of Kazakhstan Air Defence Force 2000 present 604th Aviation Base Taldykorgan MiG 23UB Libya Edit Namibia Edit North Korea Edit Poland Edit Romania Edit Soviet Union Edit PVO Soviet Air Defence Forces Direct Reporting Units 2179th BRS 4884th BRS Bobrovka 148th TsBP i PLS Savasleyka 18th TsBP Krasnovodsk 116th UTsBP Astrakhan 234th UTsBP Sary Shagan 678th Zabaikal sky GvSIAP Priozyorsk 6 Armavir Red Banner VVAUL Armavir 713th UAP Armavir 761st Polotskiy UAP Maikop Stavropol VVAULSh 218th UAP Salsk VVS Tactical Aviation Direct Reporting Units 4th TsBP i PLS Lipetsk 91st IISAP Lipetsk 455th IISAP Lipetsk 760th UAP 1080th UATs PLS Borisoglebsk 1st GvIAPIB Lebazh ye 343rd IIAP Bagai Baranovka Saratov Chernigov VVAUL 701st UAP Pevtsy GNIKI VVS 333rd OIAP Vladimirovka 4020th BRD Lipetsk 4215th BRS Dmitryevka Moscow Military District 9th IAD Kubinka 234th Prooskorovskiy GvIAP Kubinka 32nd GVIAP Shatalovo Baltic Military District 15th Air Army Belorussian Military District 26th Air Army Carpathian Military District 14th Air Army Lvov Central Asian Military District 73rd Air Army Tashkent Far Eastern Military District 1st Air Army Khabarovsk Soviet Naval Aviation Pacific Fleet 169th GvSAP 169th GvOSAP Cam Ranh Vietnam Northern Fleet 88th OMAPIB Black Sea Fleet 841st MAPIBSri Lanka Edit The 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 Sudan Edit Syria Edit Turkmenistan Edit After 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 Turkmenistan Air Force 55th IAP PVO Nebit Dag MiG 23P MiG 23UB 107th IAP PVO Akdepe MiG 23P MiG 23UB 689th GvIAP Turkmenbasy MiG 23P MiG 23UB VVS depot Serdar MiG 23M MiG 23MLD MiG 23P MiG 23UB Uganda Edit Ukraine Edit Between 1992 and 2001 the Ukrainian Air Force operated around 200 MiG 23s both single seaters and MiG 23UB trainers Ukrainian Air Force Southern Air Defence Region 737th VAP Chervonoglinskoye MiG 23M MiG 23MLD Western Air Defence Region 179th VAP Stryi MiG 23M MiG 23MLD 894th VAP Ozyornoye MiG 23M MiG 23MLD 114th VAP Ivano Frankivsk MiG 23UB 642nd GvIAP Martynovka MiG 23UB Zimbabwe Edit The 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 4 Evaluation Only Edit China Edit Six MiG 23s of various models were purchased by the Chinese government from Egypt during the 1970s People s Liberation Army Air Force MiG 23MS MiG 23BN MiG 23UB United Kingdom Edit United States Edit Yugoslavia Edit Civilian Edit Angola Edit Several MiG 23s were flown and operated by Ibis Air on behalf of Executive Outcomes mercenaries and the Angolan government during the Angolan Civil War 5 United States Edit There are 11 civilian owned MiG 23s registered in the United States of America according to the FAA 6 These include Two ex Czech aircraft N51734 and N5106E registered for civilian use in the United States and based at New Castle Airport in Wilmington Delaware 7 An ex Bulgarian VVS aircraft N923UB which is operational and on display at the Cold War Air Museum near Dallas Texas 8 References Edit World Air Forces 2021 flightglobal com Force Report Part 1 Of The Belarusian AF amp Air Defence www key aero 21 November 2019 Retrieved 2022 10 05 Mitzer Stijn Oliemans Joost Beast from the East Bulgaria s MiG 25 Foxbats Oryxspioenkop Archived from the original on 22 September 2022 Retrieved 8 October 2022 Oryx Flying History Zimbabwe s Proud Aircraft Tradition Oryx Retrieved 2022 12 04 Singer P W 2003 Corporate Warriors The Rise of the Privatized Military Industry Updated ed New York Cornell University Press p 106 ISBN 9780801459603 Retrieved 15 July 2015 MiG 23 Archived 5 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine U S FAA Registry of Aircraft Retrieved 28 January 2011 MiG 23 Warbirds of Delaware Retrieved 28 January 2011 Mig 23 Cold War Air Museum Retrieved 28 January 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title List of MiG 23 operators amp oldid 1170472622, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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