MiG-23ML

This page is about the premium Soviet jet fighter MiG-23ML. For other versions, see MiG-23 (Family).

MiG-23ML

MiG-23ML

USSR

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.7	11.7	11.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Fighter

Jet fighter

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The MiG-23ML is a premium gift rank VII Soviet jet fighter with a battle rating of 11.7 (AB/RB) and 11.3 (SB). It was introduced in Update "Apex Predators".

General info

The MiG-23ML is an upgraded variant of the MiG-23 which was introduced to correct the drawbacks of its earlier variants. The L stands for "lyogiky", or "lightweight"; as the name suggests, this variant of the aircraft introduced a redesigned airframe with less drag and weight, the strengthening of the wing folding mechanisms to permit a higher G-limit, among other assorted upgrades.

In War Thunder, the MiG-23ML is functionally identical to the MiG-23MLA (Germany) and is slightly different from the MiG-23MLD. Overall, the MiG-23ML is a very capable and versatile plane, with a powerful engine and a diverse arsenal of weaponry to choose from. Plus, being a premium plane, you earn twice as many Research Points and Silver Lions, helping you grind the tech tree more swiftly.

Flight performance

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Drogue parachute

Reduces braking distance when landing on any runway

Max speed

at 13 000 m2 358 km/h

Turn time33 s

Max altitude16 000 m

EngineTumansky R-35-300

Type

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight20 t

The MiG-23ML has superior flight performance with its powerful engine and variable-geometry wing design which allows for faster turning on demand. With over 10,000 kilograms-force of thrust, its thrust-to-weight ratio rivals that of even the F-104S. While the plane lacks the leading-edge slats of the MiG-23MLD, this gives it an energy retention advantage in sustained dogfights.

Characteristics	Max speed (km/h at 13,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	2,346	2,342	16000	33.6	33.9	196.1	190.6	750
Upgraded	2,371	2,358		32.4	33.0	246.1	220.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Drogue chute
X	✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
0	630	___	___	___	~__	~__

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< ___	< ___	< ___	N/A

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Basic mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-35-300		1	__,___ kg		___ kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Gross Weight
Weight	Type		_m fuel	__m fuel	__m fuel
1760 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		_,___ kg	_,___ kg	_,___ kg	_,___ kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
Condition	100%	___%/WEP	_m fuel	__m fuel	__m fuel	MGW
Stationary	___ kgf	___ kgf	_.__	_.__	_.__	_.__
Optimal	___ kgf (_ km/h)	___ kgf (_ km/h)	_.__	_.__	_.__	_.__

Survivability and armour

Flares/Chaff

Aircraft countermeasures to distract IR and radar-guided missiles and also AA radar

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural0 km/h

Gear630 km/h

The MiG-23ML has no armor protection. It is a somewhat large plane, so it can survive low caliber bullets as well as a few higher caliber ones if lucky. The plane is equipped with 72 large-caliber countermeasures; with optimal flaring tactics, one can survive several missiles launched at them. As you have only one engine, your performance is severely impaired if it is damaged. You are out of the fight if the engine is destroyed. Fuel tanks are located on the wings, in the center of the plane, and above the engine. All fuel tanks are self-sealing. While the engine is equipped with a fire suppression system, using it will disable the engine. Only use if you have enough speed and distance to return to your airfield.

Modifications and economy

As a premium vehicle, the MiG-23ML comes with all modifications unlocked. All premium vehicles are equipped with a talisman, which doubles RP and SL rewards.

Repair cost

AB2 052

RB6 124

SB6 119

Crew training10 000

Experts1 770 000

Aces3 400

Research Aces2 560 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 100 / 320 / 600 %

2 × 250 / 250 / 250 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Compressor New boosters Wings repair Engine	Fuselage repair Airframe G-suit Cover EFS	ns23_belt_pack UB-32 R-13M Flares/Chaff FAB-250 ns23_new_gun B-8M1 R-60M FAB-500 FAB-500 Gun pod UPK-23-250 S-24 R-23R R-23T ZB-500 Kh-23M R-24R R-24T

Armaments

Offensive armament

The MiG-23ML is armed with:

• A choice between two presets:
  • 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rounds)
  • 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 72 x large caliber countermeasures

Suspended armament

The MiG-23ML has a vast arsenal of suspended weaponry to choose from, including:

Short-range missiles (up to 6):

• R-13M1 (IR, 20G overload)
• R-60M (IR, 30G overload)

Medium-range missiles (up to 2):

• R-23R (Radar-guided, 20G overload)
• R-23T (IR, 20G overload)
• R-24R (Radar-guided, 24G overload)
• R-24T (IR, 24G overload)

*Note: The R-23T and R-24T may be used in conjunction with the IRST mode of the plane's radar. This is similar in function to a radar lock, but ignores chaff, may be countered by flares, and does not alert enemy radar warning receivers (RWR) that the plane is locked.

Gunpods:

• 2x 23mm dual-barrel GSh-23L cannon gunpods (250 rounds per gunpod)

Bombs:

• Up to 16x OFAB-100 bombs (114kg each)
• Up to 4x FAB-250M-62 bombs (227kg each)
• Up to 2x FAB-500M-62 bombs (508kg each)

Incendiary bombs:

• Up to 2x ZB-500 (374kg each, 250kg of CKC incendiary compound)

Unguided rockets:

• Up to 64 S-5K rockets (HEAT, 150mm penetration)
• Up to 40 S-8KO rockets (HEAT, 420mm penetration)
• Up to 4 S-24B rockets (235kg rockets with a 25.5kg HE warhead.)

Guided rockets:

• Up to 2 Kh-23M rockets (Manual guidance, 10km range, 289kg rockets with a 96kg HE warhead.)

Note: Taking any amount of Kh-23M rockets requires mounting of the "Targeting Delta-NG" pod on one of the slots.

Custom weapon loadouts are available for the MiG-23ML.

Usage in battles

The MiG-23ML is very versatile and has usefulness in nearly every combat situation. In air battles, the MiG-23ML can carry six short-range missiles, or four of them with two medium-range missiles. The best missiles for the plane are the R-60 and R-24. While the R-13 and R-23 can be useful, they are inferior to their counterparts in every way and should not be used. One interesting trait of the MiG-23ML is that the IRST used with the R-23T or R-24T can wipe out unsuspecting enemies, especially towards the beginning of the match. The R-60's, while excellent at turning, have a shorter range than similar short-range missiles. The plane has very good energy retention and has some of the best flight performance out of any plane at its BR.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent variety of armament to choose from
• Excellent flight performance and versatility
• Adequate dogfighting ability with variable-geometry wings
• A useful radar and an IRST* (see Suspended Armament)
• Large-caliber countermeasures
• Premium reward bonuses

Cons:

• Less countermeasures than some opponents (i.e. Mirage F1C)
• Limited internal cannon ammunition (~3.5 seconds of firing time before depletion)
• Large engine limits survivability from successful hits

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.