The Sukhoi Su-33, that multirole fighter designed to take to the skies and protect the aircraft carriers of the Soviet Union, never managed to unfurl its claws. After the collapse of the USSR, the Su-33 became the weakest bird of prey in Russian aviation, beset by numerous problems over the years.
Despite continuing in service, the Kremlin should seriously consider removing this fierce but flawed hunter from the skies.
Birth of a flawed hunter
In the 1970s, the Soviet Union was forced to look for a new fighter for its Project 1143 aircraft carriers. The Su-33, a descendant of the fearsome Su-27 “Flanker,” arrived on the scene in the 1990s, promising to be a powerful and versatile hunter.
However, despite technical improvements and the power of its Al-31F3 engines, the Su-33 turned out to be an imperfect fighter compared to its predecessor.
The Su-33, also known as the Flanker-D, arrived equipped with a diverse and lethal arsenal, from air-to-air missiles to cluster bombs and Gsh-30-I 30mm cannons. However, his intimidating presence on the battlefield could not hide his flaws and weaknesses.
The drama of a failed hunter
The reputation of the Su-33 suffered a devastating blow in 2016 when one of these fighters crashed in Mediterranean waters near the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.
The accident, attributed to faulty cables, was not the only mishap aboard the Russian flagship during its deployment to Syria; weeks earlier, a MiG-29K fighter had also succumbed to the marine abyss.
The MiG-29K, intended to replace the Su-33, proved to be a better option for ground attacks and possessed a larger arsenal. Despite its shorter range and maneuverability, the MiG-29K exposed the shortcomings of the failed fighter.
The shadow of a copy and the sunset of a hunter
Russia’s ambitions to export its Su-33s to foreign customers were also thwarted. A possible deal with China went up in smoke when it was discovered that the Asian giant had acquired a Su-33 from Ukraine and planned to replicate it by reverse engineering. The result was the Shenyang J-15, an almost exact copy of the Russian Su-33.
The Su-33’s dark history and unfortunate track record mean this hunter is on the verge of declining. Perhaps it is time for Moscow to end the history of its aviation’s weakest bird of prey and allow other winged warriors to take their place in the battle for the skies.
The legacy of a battered warrior
The Su-33, once envisioned as the ultimate hunter that would take to the skies and protect Soviet aircraft carriers, became a battered and outdated warrior. While deadly in theory, its design and arsenal could not compete with its contemporaries’ advances in aerial technology and tactics.
A hunter’s sacrifice
In order to protect its air forces and ensure battlefield supremacy, Russia must leave this failed hunter behind and focus its efforts on developing and perfecting its successors. The Su-33 has served its purpose; It is time for it to retire with dignity and allow new and more advanced winged beasts to take its place in the fight for control of the skies.
twilight of a giant
The Su-33 once feared and respected, is now in the twilight of its career. Its days as a relentless hunter are behind us, and it is time for Russia to acknowledge and accept the end of its era.
As the sun sets on the horizon for the Su-33, Russian aviation must look to the future and prepare for the dawn of a new generation of fighters that will overcome the weaknesses and shortcomings of this fallen giant.
