Is MiG-23 MLD counted as "valid plane" for researching higher rank planes?

Machinery of War Discussion Aircraft
1

In other words: I have got MiG-23M. I need one more plane of it’s rank to be able to start research MiG-29. Will it please be possible after buying MiG-23 MLD ?

2

Yes.

3

Thank you.

4

how did you get to that level and still know nothing about the game?