BMP-23

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 1950s, being presented in 1960. Despite its name, the BMP-23 is very different from the BMP-1 and more similar in function to the BMP-2. 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 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 9M14 Malyutka, today with 9K111 Fagot ATGM.
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.

Type - Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin - Bulgaria
Specifications
Mass - 15.2 tonnes
Length - 7.28 m
Width - 3.05 m
Height - 2.53 m
Crew - 3 (7-9 passengers)
Armor - >20 mm
Main armament 23 mm automatic cannon 2A14 + 9K111 ATGM "Fagot"
Secondary armament - 7.62 mm machine gun (PKT)
Engine - diesel YaMZ-238N (turbo charged) / 315 hp
Power/weight - 20.7 hp/tonne
Suspension - torsion bar
Operational range 550-600 km
Maximum speed - 62 km/h (road)

Operators
 - Bulgaria

Variants
1) BMP-23D - Upgraded variant with 9K111 Fagot ATGM and 81mm smoke grenade launchers.
2) BMP-30 - Modified BMP-23 with the turret taken directly from the BMP-2.
3) BRM-23 - Reconnaissance version (prototype).