It was developed by Phazotron specifically for the Soviet Air Forces (VVS) new MiG-23 fighter aircraft and used in conjunction with the Vympel R-23 (NATO codename: AA-7 Apex) beyond visual range air-to-air missile.
Using a twist-Cassegrain antenna 800 mm (31 in) in diameter, it used a continuous-wave target illuminator channel to provide guidance for the semi-active radar homing (SARH) R-23R missile.
However, as an interim variant it was considered unreliable and lacked the look-down/shoot-down capability of later Sapfir radars; it could only guide missiles onto targets flying above 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
It also had a frequency spacing feature that prevented multiple radars from interfering with each other's operation, allowing for group-search patterns to be conducted.
It featured improved detection range, reliability, ECCM, look-down/shoot-down over rough terrain, and a close air combat mode with vertical-scan capability.
[10] This derivative of the Sapfir-23ML was designed specifically for the MiG-23P interceptor, although initial models were unreliable and required additional maintenance.