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 made of welded rolled steel, capable of withstanding heavy machine gun fire. [1]
| BMP-23 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Bulgaria |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 15.2 tonnes |
| Length | 7.28 m |
| Width | 3.05 m |
| Height | 2.53 m |
| Crew | 3 (7-9 passengers) |
| Armor | >20 mm |
Main armament | 23 mm automatic cannon 2A14 9K111 ATGM "Fagot" |
Secondary armament | 7.62 mm machine gun (PKT) |
| Engine | 315 hp |
| Power/weight | 20.7 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | torsion bar |
Operational range | 550 - 600 km |
| Maximum speed | 62 km/h (road) |
The BMP-23 was first seen on a parade in 1984.
Design
editArmament
editThe 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
edit- 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
edit
Bulgaria: The BMP-23 has served with the Bulgarian army in Iraq.[3]
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ "Bulgarian BMP-23". www.tanks-encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "The Bulgarian BMP-23 Infantry Fighting Vehicle". TankNutDave.com. Retrieved 14 January 2023.