Engineering: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 made of welded rolled steel, capable of withstanding heavy machine gun fire. [1]
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
Bulgaria: The BMP-23 has served with the Bulgarian army in Iraq.[3]
References
- ↑ "BMP-23 infantry fighting vehicle (Bulgaria) - Jane's Armour and Artillery". 2013-01-02. http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Armour-and-Artillery/BMP-23-infantry-fighting-vehicle-Bulgaria.html.
- ↑ "Bulgarian BMP-23". https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/Bulgaria/BMP-23.php.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "The Bulgarian BMP-23 Infantry Fighting Vehicle" (in en-US). https://tanknutdave.com/the-bulgarian-bmp-23-ifv/.
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