As with the MiG-23MF, there were two different MiG-23ML sub-variants for export: the first version was sold to Warsaw Pact countries and was very similar to Soviet aircraft.
Seperti halnya MiG-23MF, terdapat dua sub-varian MiG-23ML untuk ekspor: versi pertama yang dijual ke negara pakta Warsawa dan sangat mirip dengan pesawat terbang Uni Soviet.