The fighter is designed to defeat air targets by day and night in VFR and IFR weather conditions, and destroy ground and surface targets with unguided and guided weapons. The aircraft is developed from the production versions of the MiG-23MLD front-line fighter and the MiG-23P interceptor, using equipment and armament unified with other MiG fighters.

At customer request the fighter can be equipped with a new multifunction multichannel pulse-Doppler radar, allowing it to use R-73E and RVV-AE air-to-air missiles; perform target designation for the Kh-31A air-to-ship missiles; and detect pinpoint targets. Alternatively, the Sapfir-23 modernized radar may be used for employing the R-73E and RVV-AE air-to-air missiles, as well as the R-24R, R-23 and R-60 standard missiles. The aircraft is equipped with an airborne digital computer and a GPS receiver in both radar versions. In the new radar version, the fighter is equipped with an inertial flight navigation system and a multifunctional display.

The fighter can additionally be equipped with:

• helmet-mounted target designator;
• new ECM equipment (a radar threat warning station, an active jammer, and a thermal decoy dispenser);
• target designator for air-to-radar missiles;
• IFF and АТС systems and communications facilities corresponding to Western standards;
• Karat-B data analysis and recording system;
• video recording equipment;
• flight mission input system;
• sighting and reconnaissance equipment pods;
• armament versions incorporating the Kh-29T(TE) and KAB-500Kr TV-guided weapons, as well as the Kh-29L and KAB-500L laser-guided weapons (provided a sighting equipment pod is suspended).

Other modification versions can also be considered, including the use of Western avionics and extending the fighter's service life.