The current MiG-23M and MiG-23MF are absolutely trash. First and foremost, their radars lack an ACM mode, and the activation conditions for MTI are overly stringent. Additionally, the R-23 missile suffers from extremely poor maneuverability, being only marginally superior to the AIM-7D. Furthermore, the MiG-23M and MF themselves exhibit sluggish handling: they have a slow roll rate, inferior acceleration compared to the MiG-21MF (let alone the MiG-21bis), and relatively poor turn performance.
Most critically, these aircraft are limited to just 12 large countermeasures, leaving virtually no room to carry chaff. Once uptiered, this severely compromises their survivability. It is well known that no aircraft equipped with supersonic all-aspect infrared missiles is rated below 11.0 BR; the R-60M has effectively elevated the MiG-23M to a battle rating it does not deserve.
A far more balanced approach would be to remove the R-60M and reposition the MiG-23M at 10.7 BR, where it could carry the R-60/R-13M1 alongside the R-23—a configuration that would better reflect its actual capabilities.