Conceived at the height of the Cold War, the Su-33 was meant to challenge the U.S. Navy’s dominance. Instead, it became a niche asset in a shrinking Russian fleet.
The Russian Federation continues dreaming about one day being an aircraft carrier power. But that day will likely never come—especially as its solitary aircraft carrier, the decrepit Admiral Kuznetsov, struggles to stay afloat.
One system that the Russians built to augment what they envisioned would be a potent carrier force is the Su-33. Yet, the vision of the Su-33s being a dominant naval warplane is as fleeting as the hope that the Admiral Kuznetsov will suddenly spark a revolution in Russian aircraft carrier operations.
The Su-33 traces its origins back to the 1980s, when the Soviet Navy sought a carrier-capable fighter to operate from what was then its burgeoning aircraft carrier force. The Su-27 was already a proven air superiority platform and was, therefore, selected as the base model due to its agility, range, and robust airframe.
A Brief History of the Su-33
Sukhoi Design Bureau began adapting the new plane in 1984, with the first prototype (designated T-10K) flying in August 1987 under test pilot Viktor Pugachev. The aircraft did not enter service into 1998, years after the Soviet Union’s collapse and end of the Cold War. This reflected the tumultuous transition from the old USSR to the Russian Federation that delayed the Su-33’s deployment.
While the Su-33 retains much of the Su-27’s original design, its body has been augmented for carrier flight operations. Most notably, its wings fold to save deck space. Sukhoi also enhanced the Su-33 to better withstand the stresses of arrested landings. Canards were added forward of the wings to enhance low-speed control during carrier approaches, while a strengthened airframe supports an arrestor hook.
The Su-33’s Specs
The Su-33’s thrust comes from two Saturn AL-31F turbofans, delivering 27,557 pounds of thrust each with afterburners, enabling a maximum speed of Mach 2.0, and a combat radius of 621 miles.
Armaments found on the Su-33 mirror that of the Su-27. For instance, a 30mm GSh-30-1 cannon is found on both birds. There are 12 hardpoints carrying up to 14,330 pounds of ordnance. Those armaments include the R-27 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, bombs, and rockets. Unlike Western counterparts, however, the Su-33 lacks precision-guided munitions in its standard loadout, limiting its ground-attack role. Its avionics, centered on the N001 radar, offer a 100-mile detection range but lag behind modern systems in electronic warfare and targeting sophistication.
And because the Su-33 was specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations, and the Admiral Kuznetsov is Russia’s only aircraft carrier—and has spent most of its recent service life in drydock for repairs—the Su-33’s combat experience is relatively limited. It was first deployed aboard the carrier in 1998, but the aircraft did not see its first round of major combat until 2015-16, when it deployed as part of Russia’s mission to stabilize Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad’s floundering regime.
The debut of the Su-33 in the Syrian Civil War highlighted a dual capability as well as a constraint. The aircraft proved it could operate in combat. Sadly for the Su-33 and Russian Navy, it suffered losses—including one Su-33 crashing due to an arrestor cable failure. This underscored the Admiral Kuznetsov’s fragility—and the fact that the Su-33’s utility depended upon the operational reliability of Russia’s single carrier.
The Su-33’s Unrealized Potential
Production of the Su-33 was limited, with only 35 of the warplanes built before the program halted in the 1990s amid the post-Soviet chaos. Attrition has since reduced the fleet of Su-33s, with estimates suggesting fewer than 20 of the planes remain airworthy today. Meanwhile, maintenance challenges, compounded by the Admiral Kuznetsov’s frequent downtime, have curtailed the Su-33’s readiness.
Unlike the U.S. Navy’s carrier air wings, which log thousands of sorties annually, the Su-33’s flight hours are sparse, reflecting Russia’s focus on land-based airpower over naval projection.
More than anything, the Su-33’s legacy is one of unrealized potential. Conceived at the height of the Cold War, the plane was meant to challenge the U.S. Navy’s dominance. Instead, it became a niche asset in a shrinking Russian fleet. Its role today has been overshadowed by other, more advanced platforms such as the MiG-29K, which offers multiple capabilities and compatibility with India’s navy (a key export client). Proposals to upgrade the Su-33 with modern radar and weapons have surfaced, but funding priorities favor land-based Su-35s and Su-57s.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Maximillian Cabinet.
