Summary and key points: The Sukhoi Su-33, a carrier-based fighter aircraft originally designed for the Soviet Union’s aircraft carriers, has struggled with numerous problems over the years, making it one of Russia’s least successful air platforms.

– Although the Su-33 is derived from the Su-27 Flanker, it has had problems with reliability and performance, as evidenced by crashes during service.

– Failed export attempts and competition from more powerful aircraft such as the MiG-29K and the copied J-15 from China have further reduced the importance of the Su-33.

– Given the poor track record, the Russian government may consider decommissioning or scrapping the Su-33 fleet.

The Su-33: Russia’s aircraft carrier fighter with a turbulent past

The Sukhoi Su-33 multi-role fighter aircraft was originally developed to provide the Soviet Union’s aircraft carriers with a powerful jet to fly. After the collapse of the USSR, numerous Soviet-era equipment and platforms suffered from a lack of resources and priorities as the new Russian government took shape.

However, the Su-33 may be Russia’s worst aircraft, as this platform has had numerous problems over the years.

While the lackluster fighter jet is technically still in service with the Russian Air Force today, the Kremlin should consider phasing out or canceling the entire Su-33 program in the near future.

Introduction of the Su-33

In the 1970s, the USSR’s only carrier-capable aircraft was unable to fulfill its intended role due to a lack of range and payload. During this period, the former USSR instructed its engineers to design a new fighter that would not interfere with the capabilities of the country’s Project 1143 aircraft carriers. Like so many other modern Russian fighters, the Su-33 prototype was derived from the existing Su-27 “Flanker” fighter. Originally designated the Su-27K, the Su-33 was renamed after it entered service in the late 1990s.

Despite the superficial similarity to the Su-27 Flanker, the Su-33 (known as the Flanker-D by NATO) has several practical differences. The Su-33 has a reinforced landing gear, folding wings and is slightly more powerful.

Al-31F3 engines and a more sophisticated landing gear, as well as other atypical features than its predecessor. The Su-33’s design differences were intended to improve the aircraft’s takeoff and landing capabilities on aircraft carriers. Another difference between the two aircraft is that the Su-33 Flanker-D has two additional suspension points than the Su-27 Flanker.

In terms of armament, the Su-33 can mount a wide variety of munitions on its external mounts. As summarized in a previous article, these munitions include “R-27R1(ER1), R-27T1(ET1) and R-73E air-to-air missiles, S-8KOM, S-8OM, S-8BM S-13T, S-13OF and S-25-OFM-PU unguided rockets, Kh-25MP, Kh-31 and Kh-41 guided missiles, RBK-500 cluster bombs and electronic countermeasures pods.” The Flanker-D is also equipped with Gsh-30-I 30mm cannons.

How a Su-33 crashed off the Mediterranean

The Su-33 platform gained some notoriety in 2016 when one of these fighters crashed during flight operations in front of the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. According to the official report, the fighter jet crashed while attempting to land due to faulty cables.

Unfortunately, this crash was not the first incident on board the Admiral Kuznetsov during Moscow’s combat mission off Syria. A few weeks earlier, a MiG-29K fighter jet also crashed onto the aircraft carrier during rescue operations.

The MiG-29K platform was specifically intended to replace the Russian Navy’s Su-33 Flanker-D fleet, although the latter had much greater range and maneuverability. However, the MiG-29K fighter is better suited to ground attack than the Su-33 and can carry a wider range of munitions.

Sukhoi Su-33: A history of failed offers

Moscow has tried to export its remaining Su-33 fighter jets to foreign customers. In the early 2000s, Beijing wanted to acquire the fighter platform, but the deal fell through when it was revealed that China had already bought a Su-33 aircraft from Ukraine and wanted to replicate it.

In fact, it is widely believed that the Chinese Shenyang J-15 fighter aircraft is a direct copy of the Russian Su-33 fighter aircraft.

The Su-33’s dismal track record and dismal operational history make this platform a prime candidate for early retirement. Moscow might even be better off simply scrapping its remaining Flanker-D aircraft altogether.

About the author: Maya Carlin

Maya Carlin is an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has been featured in numerous publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel.

All images are Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock.