This
book's subtitle, Mikoyan I
Gurevich MiG-23 in Service in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and Syria,
1973-2018,
closely encapsulates its content. The cover and pages are printed on
good quality glossy paper with perfect binding. The narrative is arranged
chronologically and is spread across six chapters. The book is profusely
illustrated with both color and black and white photos and color artwork.
The artwork provides twenty aircraft profiles and examples of each of the
user nation's national insignia. Five maps and numerous graphs, diagrams,
and tables are also provided.
The MiG-23 is a variable geometry fighter produced by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan I Gurevich design bureau. It was the first Soviet fighter to field a look down/shoot down radar and beyond visual range missiles. Production of both interceptor and fighter bomber variants began in 1969 and, to date, over 5000 examples have been produced. The MiG-23 was widely exported and was initially embraced enthusiastically by Arab nations that were previously equipped Soviet military aircraft. They were anxious to replace combat losses from the 1973 war with Israel with aircraft more technologically advanced and capable than the MiG-21. Unfortunately for them, the MiG-23 turned out to be a marginal asset. The MiG-23 had entered service at a time that recent combat experience was causing Western fighter aircraft designers to re-consider the importance of air combat maneuvering. Although possessing tremendous acceleration and capable of high speed at low altitude, the MiG-23 was no dog fighter. The only useful combat maneuver that it could perform was a four mile high loop that no contemporary Western fighter could match. The MiG-23's lack of maneuverability would place it at a decided disadvantage when opposed by next generation Western jet fighters. This disadvantage would be compounded by the user nation's lack of modern Integrated air defense systems and the Soviet Union's inconsistent and inadequate training, maintenance, and spare parts support. Although flown with much skill and enthusiasm by its pilots, the story of the MiG-23 in the Middle East is one of defeats outnumbering victories. .
The book organizes the chronicles of the MiG-23's service in the Middle East by the user nations and the conflicts that they fought in. Egypt:was the first Middle East nation to receive the MiG-23. Due to a falling out with the Soviet Union and a series of accidents, the Egyptian MiG-23s were phased out of service in less than two years. Syrian MiG-23s skirmished with the Israeli Air Force over Lebanon in the late 1970s and early 1980s culminating in a disastrous engagement over the Bekaa Valley on June 10,1982 when the Syrians lost at least 24 MiG-23s. Aerial clashes between the Syrians and Israelis would continue to occur until a diplomatic solution brought a long hiatus to the hostilities between the two nations in 1986. Syrian MiG-23s would next see action in the Syrian civil war that ran from 2011 to 2024. Iraqi MiG-23s first saw action in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. They would also participate in the invasion of Kuwait and Operation Desert Storm. Ironically, all of the Iraqi MiG-23s that survived Operation Desert Storm were flown to Iran. In the 1980s, Libyan MiG-23s engaged the U.S. Navy over the Gulf of Sidra, fought in a war with Chad, and defended the capitol, Tripoli, during Operation Dorado Canyon. Libyan Mig-23s would fight on both sides of the Libyan Civil war that broke out after the fall of the Qaddhafi regime. Algeria's MiG-23s only exposure to combat came during the brutal Algerian Civil war that raged from the late 1980s to the late 2000s. Algeria's MiG-23s were retired in 2008.
I really enjoyed this book. It provides a wealth of information about about aircraft and aerial operations in a part of the world that is often shrouded in mystery and misinformation. The photographic coverage is generous and closely corresponds with the text. The author clearly knows the subject and appears to have access to information not frequently seen in English language publications. Highly recommended.
Editor's note: I reviewed this book back in October 2018 but it is always nice to get another perspective.
February 2025