It is known that the early MiG-23 airframe's lifetime was very short. In the early seventies the MiG Design Bureau determined the MiG-23M Flogger-B’s original service life be set at 1,500 hours and 17 years; the twin-seater has an original service life of 1,500 or 1,750 hours and 17 years.
The calendar life of the first MiG-23M ‘Flogger-B’ fighter aircraft expired between 1988 and 1989. This version of aircraft was obsolete at the time, and the Air Force has not planed to extend its lifespan. Following the example of the American Arizona depot, a Soviet aircraft depot was designed for the Turkmen desert! Similar to the Arizona desert, there was little rainfall and low humidity here.
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