The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, NATO reporting name "Flogger", represented a significant technological leap for the Soviet Union as its first variable-geometry (swing-wing) fighter. Entering service in the early 1970s, it was designed to replace the MiG-21, offering greater range, endurance, and weapon-carrying capability. The MiG-23 was a pioneer in Soviet aviation, being the first to feature look-down/shoot-down radar and the ability to employ beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles. Its swing-wing design allowed it to optimize performance for both high-speed interception and lower-speed takeoff and landing, making it one of the most versatile and widely exported Soviet fighters of the Cold War era.
