[Would you like to see the Flogger-E in-game?]
MiG-23MS Flogger-E
The MiG-23MS “Flogger-E” is often remembered as the weakest link in the MiG-23 family, yet that reputation underestimates its historical significance. Built as a simplified export model with downgraded radar and no IRST, it was widely sold to countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Egypt. Despite its limitations, the MiG-23MS flew in many of the major regional wars of the late Cold War, and a few examples may still be flying today. With its long service record and presence in so many conflicts, the MiG-23MS deserves a place in the game.
History:
Spoiler
The MiG-23MS was a stripped-down, export-oriented “monkey model” variant of the MiG-23MF, which itself is a Warsaw Pact export model of the MiG-23M. MiG-23MS was designed specifically for third-world clients, particularly those aligned with the Soviet Union or seeking to bolster their air forces without gaining access to Moscow’s most advanced technology. Countries like Egypt, Syria, Libya, and Iraq received the MS, and it quickly found itself thrust into real combat.
In the hands of these operators, the MiG-23MS was frequently pitted against better-equipped Western or Western-aligned aircraft. Its rudimentary onboard systems made it poorly suited for the fluid air battles of the late Cold War. In combat, particularly in the Middle East, the MS often struggled to hold its own. Syrian MiG-23MS fighters, for instance, were badly outclassed by Israeli F-15s and F-16s during the 1982 Lebanon War, and Iraqi examples had mixed success against Iranian fighters during the long and brutal Iran–Iraq War.
Egypt, once one of the aircraft’s early operators, quickly grew disillusioned with the MiG-23MS. The aircraft’s limitations became painfully clear, and after Egypt realigned itself politically and militarily toward the West in the late 1970s, it sold some of its MiG-23MS fleet to both the United States and China. This gave both nations an opportunity to study the aircraft in detail. Ironically, the Soviet ‘monkey model’ would have served its purpose well, if the Egyptians had not handed over the MF variant as well. Libya, another notable user, also passed on some of its MiG-23MS fighters to Sudan. Incredibly, some of these airframes have reportedly been refurbished in recent years and may still be flying. Despite their age and obsolescence, the MiG-23MS has proven to be a true rugged survivor.
The Gulf of Sidra Incident Clarification:
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It is important to note that In the second Gulf of Sidra incident (January 4, 1989), the two Libyan aircraft involved were MiG-23MF variants, not the inferior MiG-23MS or the more advanced MiG-23ML, according to Tom Cooper.
This infamous incident Involved two F-14 Tomcats, from VF-32 “Swordsmen” off the USS John F. Kennedy. They encountered two Libyan MiG-23MF fighters. After tracking and repeatedly trying to avoid them, the Tomcats engaged when it became clear the MiGs were threatening. Both MiG-23s were shot down using AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
Operation:
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The MiG-23MS was, in many ways, less a fighter in the modern sense and more of a manned missile, fully reliant on ground control intercept (GCI) stations for situational awareness and vectoring toward its targets. Without GCI guidance, the aircraft was effectively blind. It lacked a capable radar system, and thus the pilot had to depend heavily, if not entirely, on visual identification and tracking once separated from ground guidance. In combat, this meant the aircraft was often simply pointed toward the general vicinity of an intruder, with the expectation that it would close the distance and engage using its limited onboard systems and whatever missiles it carried.
The image above depicts the cockpit of the Constant Peg MiG-23MS.
Unlike more advanced variants like the MiG-23MLD or even the MiG-23M, which could engage maneuvering targets at all aspects, and at longer ranges using improved radar and more agile weapons like the R-60, the MiG-23MS was hamstrung by its legacy tech. It could not effectively track or engage maneuvering targets, especially those at low altitude or flying evasively.
Details:
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In short, MiG-23MS is a “MiG-23M equipped with weapons systems of a MiG-21S.” It was equipped with an older RP-23SM radar. It had no IRST. The RP-22SM was primarily designed for clear, unobstructed airspace and struggled in cluttered environments or against low-flying targets. As a result, the MS is physically distinguishable from the MiG-23M by its smaller nose cone.
The MiG-23MS should not be confused with the
MiG-23S. The MiG-23MS had the airframe of the MiG-23M that fixed a lot of issues that were found on the S. The MiG-23S was notoriously unreliable and widely regarded as a poor-performing aircraft, even in comparison to the MiG-23MS. As such, it should be treated as a separate suggestion.
The MS retained the M’s R-29-300 engine and essentially the same airframe. Some secondary sources instead list the older R-27F2M-300 for the MS, so published references conflict on this point.
The MS’s much smaller RP-22 radar and deletion of the TP-23 IRST potentially reduced the mass of its forward avionics by roughly 0.4 tonnes, although the actual empty weight and whether compensating ballast was installed remain unclear. At least one published reference gives 10.7 tonnes.
What is much better supported is its fuel capacity. The MS carried about 5,400 L of usable internal fuel, 5,626 L total, compared with about 4,700 L usable in the MiG-23M/MF. This represents roughly another 550–580 kg of fuel depending on kerosene type and appears to have given the MS the largest internal fuel capacity of any fighter version of the MiG-23. A pilot who recalled flying several MS aircraft also specifically remembered both the light nose and exceptional takeoff impression, and said the MS could remain airborne longer than the other MiG-23s at his school.
Loadout:
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The original Air to Air armament of the aircraft consisted of 4x R-3Ss in total. According to Tom Cooper the aircraft could deploy R-3Rs in tail chase engagements.
Later the Aircraft was modified to carry R-13Ms, a more modern and capable heat-seeking missile derived from the R-3S. HOWEVER, using R-13Ms from under the fuselage caused engine problems, so only under-wing pylons were modified to carry R-13Ms. The introduction of the R-13M improved the MiG-23MS’s odds. With this weapon, the aircraft did manage to score a few kills, proving that it could be deadly. Still, these successes were the exception rather than the rule. The first confirmed kill by a MiG-23MS was against an IRIAF Northrop F-5E Tiger II, which was shot down using an R-13M missile.
Although not yet implemented in the game, the R-13M has been suggested: Vympel R-13M - The Initial Step Forward
2x R-13M along with 2x R-3S can be seen on this MiG-23MS.
Ironically, while the MiG-23MS was marketed as the ‘next-generation’ solution for allied air forces, the Soviets were simultaneously exporting MiG-21 variants armed with the R-13M missile, yet withheld that same missile from the MiG-23MS.
The MiG-23MS’s air-to-ground armament consisted primarily of unguided rockets and free-fall bombs, with 4x UB-16-57 rocket pods loaded with S-5 rockets being a particularly common loadout for anti-tank missions. In this role, its capabilities were broadly similar to those of the MiG-23BN, though the MS lacked the ability to mount stores on the tail fuselage pylons, limiting its payload options somewhat. Despite being an air-superiority variant in theory, the MiG-23MS was often pressed into ground-attack duties alongside the more specialized MiG-23BN, especially in conflicts such as those in Chad. The MS was never equipped with guided munitions, as such weapons were typically reserved for either more advanced or dedicated strike variants.
The MiG-23MS had NO countermeasures in its standard form, although it is said that some customers later added them to the aircraft with and without Soviet help.
If added to War Thunder, the MiG-23MS should at minimum be equipped with two R-13M missiles, and possibly even R-3Rs to reflect its late-service upgrades. The lack of countermeasures could be retained, making it uniquely disadvantaged among MiG-23 fighter variants, in line with the MiG-23BN. If it were introduced with only R-3Ss and no countermeasures, it would be an incredibly comedic scene. As for the BR rating well that’s up to the developers to figure out.
Paint Schemes:
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Visually, the MiG-23MS was remarkably uniform across its export customers. Nearly all aircraft were delivered in the same standardized camouflage pattern, an olive-brown-and-sand desert scheme ideal for the arid environments many of these nations operated in. The only real variations came down to national insignia and flags, which were simply swapped out depending on the recipient.
The Standard Scheme
There were a few exceptions. Soviet evaluation examples sometimes featured different paint schemes, and the single MiG-23MS used by the United States during Operation Constant Peg wore a unique finish suited to its aggressor role. When China acquired its aircraft via Egypt, they didn’t even bother with a full repaint, they just slapped patches over the Egyptian roundels, leaving the original scheme untouched. The Sudanese took a similar approach with their MiG-23MS fleet. After receiving hand-me-downs from Libya, they simply painted over the Libyan markings, which later became visible again as the paint aged and weathered. However, modern refurbished versions of the Sudanese jets have a properly applied unique paint scheme.
The Soviet Scheme
Implementation:
Spoiler
This aircraft could plausibly be added to multiple national tech trees, as previously discussed. However, it’s worth noting that the Soviets retained a small number of MiG-23MS units in training roles right up until the end of the Cold War. One pilot who gave a performance account reported flying an example that was painted in a Middle Eastern-style camouflage, though he wasn’t certain why that particular aircraft was still present at their base. Tom Cooper has published a drawing of what he believes to be the Soviet-specific camouflage scheme for these jets, and it’s possible that this is what the pilot was referring to, as they both look like they belong in the desert.
So, while the MiG-23MS was primarily an export model, there’s a solid argument for it to be included in the Soviet tech tree in War Thunder. Perhaps add the Standard Scheme as a purchasable option without the national markings and let the players put what ever flags or roundels they wish to see on these aircraft. Then again, as always, that decision ultimately lies with the developers.
Specifications for MiG-23MS:
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“Overall the MiG-23MS had poor weapons (R-3S, R-3R & R-13M at best), structural problems limiting the maximum load factor, crude flight controls, poor roll-yaw stability at high AoA (all of these giving hard-wing Phantom levels of maneuverability at best), bad visibility out of the cockpit… Its only redeeming features were high speed & supersonic acceleration.”
Dimensions:
Length: ~17.11 meters (56.1 feet), including pitot probe.
The aircraft came with a smaller, slightly shorter nose cone due to the smaller RP-22SM radar.
Wingspan:
Spread (16° sweep): 13.97 meters (45.8 feet).
Swept (72° sweep): 7.78 meters (25.5 feet).
Height: 4.82 meters (15.8 feet).
Wing Area: 37.35 m² (402 square feet) at minimum sweep.
Weight:
Empty Weight: ~10,700 kg.
Maximum Takeoff Weight: ~18,400 kg.
Fuel Capacity: ~5,400 liters usable / 5,626 liters total internal capacity, with external fuel tank options.
Performance:
Engine: 1 × R-29-300 turbojet.
Thrust: ~18,300 lbf dry, ~27,560 lbf with afterburner.
Maximum Speed:
At altitude: ~Mach 2.35 (~2,500 km/h or 1,553 mph).
At sea level: ~1,350 km/h (~839 mph).
Range:
Ferry Range: ~2,700 km (~1,678 miles) with 3 external fuel tanks.
Service Ceiling: ~17,200 meters (56,430 feet).
Rate of Climb: ~175 m/s (~34,450 feet per minute).
*The MiG-23MS retained the MiG-23M’s R-29-300 engine, but had substantially downgraded avionics and a larger internal fuel capacity.
Armament:
Guns: 1 × GSh-23L 23mm twin-barrel cannon with 200 rounds.
Hardpoints:
4 primary weapon stations.
3 dedicated external fuel tank positions.
Air-to-Air Missiles:
R-3S (AA-2A “Atoll”) infrared-guided missiles.
R-13M (AA-2D “Advanced Atoll”) infrared-guided missiles.
R-3R (AA-2C “Atoll”) SAHR missiles.
Air-to-Ground Munitions:
Unguided rockets.
Free-fall bombs.
Maximum external weapons load: ~2,000 kg.
External Fuel Tanks: Up to 3 × PTB-800 tanks for extended range.
Countermeasures: None as standard.
*Flare and chaff dispensers were not typically installed on the MiG-23MS. However, some operators later added them.
*R-13Ms were approved only on the underwing pylons because launches from the fuselage stations could cause engine surges.
Avionics:
Radar: RP-22SM Sapfir-21 / Sapfir-21M.
Detection Range: ~18 km (9.8 nm).
Tracking Range: ~11 km (6 nm).
RWR: SPO-3 Sirena-3.
IRST: None.
Look-Down/Shoot-Down: None.
Additional Gallery:
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A US MiG-23MS with Operation Constant Peg
Libyan MiG-23MS
A Modern Sudanese MiG-23MS
A Chinese MiG-23MS in a Chinese Aviation Museum
Accurate Community Skin:
Sources:
Spoiler
Tom Cooper. (2018). MiG-23 Flogger In The Middle East. Helion & Company Limited.
Kenneth Pollack. (2019). Armies of Sand. OUP USA.
1.0 Fighter Floggers. Available at: https://www.airvectors.net/avmig23_1.html#m4
Yefim Gordon. (2005). MiG-23/27 Flogger: Soviet Swing-Wing Fighter/Strike Aircraft. Midland Publishing.
Mihai Valceleanu. (2024). Was the Worst MiG-23 so terrible? Hush-kit . Available at: Was the worst MiG-23 so terrible? | Hush-Kit
MiG-23MS. [Уголок неба ¦ Микоян,Гуревич МиГ-23МС] (Óãîëîê íåáà ¦ Ìèêîÿí,Ãóðåâè÷ ÌèÃ-23ÌÑ) Note this source claims the engine is that of the MiG-23M, which is disputed by numerous other sources.
Oryx. Back from the Dead: Sudan Overhauls MiG-23s. Available at: Back From The Dead: Sudan Overhauls MiG-23s - Oryx
Military Turbojet/Turbofan Specifications. Available at: https://www.jet-engine.net/miltfspec.htm?utm_source
DCS Forum: https://forum.dcs.world/topic/181945-dcs-mig-23mla-by-razbam/page/7/
Additional Source 1: MiG-23MS (Flogger E) :: Ruslet
Additional Source 2: https://mikoyanmig29.wixsite.com/mig-23flogger/mig-23m
Additional Source 3: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1162493/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-23ms-flogger-e/
