Armored Vehicles

BMP-23

The BMP-23 is a Bulgarian tracked infantry fighting vehicle developed from a 2S1 Gvozdika and MT-LB-derived chassis and built around a 23 mm 2A14 cannon. Introduced in the early 1980s, it combines a three-person crew, seven-troop capacity, and amphibious mobility for mechanized infantry support.

BMP-23, Infantry fighting vehicle, Armored Vehicles

Image source: Commons BMP-23 Parade Image

Profile

Origin: Bulgaria
Built by: TEREM Joint Stock Company
Type: Infantry fighting vehicle
Service note: Early 1980s design, still used by Bulgarian mechanized units
Designed: 1970s
Produced: 1980s
Variants: BMP-23A, BRM-23, BMP-30
Developed from: 2S1 Gvozdika / MT-LB-derived chassis

tracked IFV amphibious autocannon ATGM

Specifications

Crew: 3
Troops: 7
Armament: 23 mm 2A14 cannon, 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, 9K11 Malyutka launcher
Weight: 15.2 tonnes
Mobility: 315 hp diesel; torsion-bar suspension; 61.5 km/h road speed; 600 km range
Protection: All-welded steel armour with protection against small arms fire and shell splinters

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Introduced in the early 1980s; still operated by Bulgarian mechanized infantry.
Used by: Bulgarian Army

Main Armament

Army Guide identifies the BMP-23 turret as mounting a 23 mm 2A14 cannon.

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

2A14 23 mm cannon

23 mm autocannon

Army Guide identifies the BMP-23 as armed with the 23 mm 2A14 cannon.

Sources: Army Guide BMP-23

BMP-23 Images

BMP-23, Infantry fighting vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 1 — Source: Commons BMP-23 Parade Image

BMP-23, Infantry fighting vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 2 — Source: Commons BMP-23 Saber Guardian 21 Image

BMP-23, Infantry fighting vehicle, Armored Vehicles - view 3 — Source: Commons BMP-23 Combined Resolve 24-02 Image

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Sources

Army Guide BMP-23Publisher: Army Guide | Note: Supports BMP-23 development, Bulgarian manufacturer context, and technical specifications including the 23 mm 2A14 cannon. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Commons BMP-23 Parade ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a public-domain BMP-23 parade photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Commons BMP-23 Saber Guardian 21 ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a U.S. Army-released BMP-23 photo from Saber Guardian 21. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Commons BMP-23 Combined Resolve 24-02 ImagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a U.S. Army-released BMP-23 photo from Combined Resolve 24-02. | Accessed: 2026-06-23