BMP-23

The BMP-23 (бойна машина на пехотата) is a Bulgarian infantry fighting vehicle which was first introduced in the early 1980s. However, it was based on a design from the Bulgarian design bureau from the 1970s, being presented in 1980s. The hull is based on that of the Soviet 2S1 self-propelled howitzer (also produced by Bulgaria) with thicker armour and a more powerful diesel engine, which is itself based on a stretched MT-LB chassis. Since the 2S1 is a larger vehicle, the troop transport compartment is not as cramped as that of the BMP-1. The armour is cast steel, capable of withstanding heavy machine gun fire. [1]

BMP-23
TypeInfantry fighting vehicle
Place of originBulgaria
Specifications
Mass15.2 tonnes
Length7.28 m
Width3.05 m
Height2.53 m
Crew3 (7-9 passengers)
Armor>20 mm
Main
armament
23 mm automatic cannon 2A14
9K111 ATGM "Fagot"
Secondary
armament
7.62 mm machine gun (PKT)
Engine315 hp
Power/weight20.7 hp/tonne
Suspensiontorsion bar
Operational
range
550 - 600 km
Maximum speed 62 km/h (road)

The BMP-23 was first seen on a parade in 1984.

Design

Armament

The turret of the BMP-23 is armed with a 23-mm autocannon 2A14 from the air-defence gun ZU-23-2 with 600 rounds, and initially the 9M14 Malyutka ATGM was used however this was later replaced on the BMP-23D modernization with the 9K111 Fagot ATGM. There is also a coaxial PKT machine gun. As the BMP-30 variant uses a turret from the BMP-2 it has no ATGMs and uses the 2A42 autocannon.[2]

Variants
  • BMP-23 - Baseline variant with 9M14 Malyutka ATGM.
  • BMP-23D - Upgraded variant with 9K111 Fagot ATGM and 81mm smoke grenade launchers.
  • BRM-23 - Reconnaissance version, limited production. Entered service in 1991.[3]
  • BMP-30 - Modified BMP-23 with the turret taken directly from the BMP-2.[3]

Operators

References
  1. "BMP-23 infantry fighting vehicle (Bulgaria) - Jane's Armour and Artillery". 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  2. "Bulgarian BMP-23". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  3. "The Bulgarian BMP-23 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". TankNutDave.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.


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