Another fighter jet still in service that fails to impress is the Sukhoi Su-33. Dubbed the Flanker-D by NATO, it was built for service on a carrier. A failure independent of the aircraft is that Russia currently only has one aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, and it has been in and out of dry dock for years and may never sail again.
The Su-33 is a capable aircraft designed in the ’80s and built in the ’90s. Its maximum speed and climb rate are above average, and its service ceiling of around 55,000 feet gives it ample altitude in which to fly. It might be an alright fighter in some capacity, but as a carrier-based fighter, it leaves a lot to be desired. To be used on a carrier, the Su-33 is upgraded with larger folding wings, wing canards, and advanced landing gear. It can be loaded with a wide range of munitions, including guided missiles, cluster bombs, and two 30mm cannons. However, it can’t be armed with some air-to-ground munitions that would make it a multirole fighter, limiting its usefulness.
The biggest flaw of a carrier-based fighter is its size. The Su-33 is an enormous aircraft. When the Indian Navy acquired a retired Soviet aircraft carrier, they opted for smaller MiG aircraft even though the more advanced Su-33 was offered to them. Adding to the Su-33’s poor capabilities are the outdated avionics on board. To bring them up to modern standards, a costly refit must be performed. As recently as 2021, Russia was upgrading its fleet of Su-33 fighters, but with the state of its aircraft carrier, they may also never see service over the sea again.
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