BMP-23


The BMP-23 is a Bulgarian infantry fighting vehicle which was first introduced in the early 1980s. It was based on a design from the Bulgarian design bureau from the 1970s, being presented in the 1980s. The hull is based on that of the Soviet 2S1 self-propelled howitzer 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.
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.

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.BMP-30 - Modified BMP-23 with the turret taken directly from the BMP-2.

Operators