After the change of power in Syria, the last large park of Soviet multi-purpose third-generation fighters with variable sweep wings, the MiG-23 (NATO codification "Flogger"), was destroyed. Now the main operator of these fighters is North Korea, writes The Military Watch Magazine.
The MiG-23ML/MLD proved its ability to compete with advanced Soviet fourth-generation fighters in the 1980s. Thanks to the "Sapphire-23" radar, the pilot of this aircraft gained a significant advantage in situational awareness.
In the DPRK, they feared that their fighters were inferior to the American F-15s and F-16s. Therefore, Pyongyang placed orders for the MiG-23ML. The first 2 aircraft were delivered in September 1984, along with two MiG-23UB training aircraft.
In total, 48 MiG-23ML fighters and 12 MiG-23UB fighters were delivered to North Korea.
Angola and Ethiopia have a small park of MiG-23s, but they will soon be decommissioned.
It is expected that the DPRK Air Force will receive a significant number of modernized MiG-29s. The purchase of fifth-generation Su-57 fighters is also not excluded.
Characteristics of the MiG-23MLD fighter: dimensions — 17.1 m x 13.97 m, total weight — 10,550 kg, crew — 1 person, combat load — 4,500 kg, flight range — 1,950 km, practical ceiling — 18,600 m.
Read more on the topic:
Su-57 is growing in number: how is Russia assembling future fighters despite sanctions?
The National Interest: Su-57 fighters will receive the S-70 Okhotnik-B satellite
The National Interest: Russia wants to sell MiG-29 fighters to North Korea
