Length 7.28 m Height 2.53 m | Weight 15.2 tonnes Width 3.05 m | |
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Type Infantry fighting vehicle | ||
The BMP-23 (бойна машина на пехотата) is a Bulgarian infantry fighting vehicle which was first introduced in the early 1980s. Despite its name, the BMP-23 is very different from the BMP-1 and more similar to BMP-2. The hull is based on that of the Soviet MT-LB, but with thicker armour and a more powerful diesel engine. Since the "MT-LB" is a larger vehicle, the troop transport compartment isn't as cramped as that of the BMP-1. The armour is cast steel, capable of withstanding heavy machine gun fire. The turret is armed with a 23-mm autocannon 2A14 from the air-defence gun ZU-23-2 with 600 rounds, and initially an ATGM launcher for the 9K11 Malyutka, today with 9K111 Fagot ATGM.
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The BMP-23 was first seen on a parade in 1984. It served with the Bulgarian army in Iraq along with the M1117 Armoured Security Vehicle.