 On the 10 October the first of 12 MiG-23MFs and 3 MiG-23UMs arrived at Dobroslavtsi AB.The aircraft's ability to intercept enemy machines unspotted, using its IR sensors and the armament of R-23R/T BVR Air-to-Air missiles in addition to the new R-60 short-range Air-to-Air missiles made the BAF the best air arm in southeastern Europe.The live firings at the Astrakhan Range, USSR, made shortly after achieving operational readiness and being graded "excellent" have shown that the Bulgarian pilots have been trained to the fullest of the aircraft's capabilities.