Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:21:57-1:24:52

Why a better Su-33 would not fix Russia's carrier system

Removing the Su-33's payload constraints improves its aircraft performance but leaves the carrier's training, logistics, and airborne-control limitations intact.

Russian Aircraft Carrier Admiral KuznetsovAirborne Early WarningCarrier AviationRussian NavySu 33
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Question

How much more capable would the Russian carrier be if the Su-33 had an F/A-18-like payload?

Short answer

The aircraft would improve, but Kuznetsov's availability, logistics, airborne early warning, and battle-group limitations would remain decisive.

Notes

A more mature Su-33 with F/A-18-like payload would make individual sorties more useful. Russia would still have one carrier carrying both operational and training burdens, without a strong carrier-on-board-delivery system, fixed-wing airborne early warning, or a mature battle-group routine. The result is a moderately better carrier available only intermittently rather than a transformation of Russian naval aviation.