The Sukhoi Su-33 ( Russian : ????? ??-33 and NATO Registration : Flanker-D ) is a two - engine heavy-duty multi-role air-to-air fighter for all climates designed by Sukhoi . This fighter is derived from the Sukhoi-27 fighter and was originally known as the Sukhoi-27K .

The aircraft was first used in 1995 from the deck of Admiral Kuznetsov . But he officially joined the Russian Armed Forces in August 1998 under the name Sukhoi-33 . After the break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent downsizing of the Russian navy, only 24 Sukhoi-33s were produced and sales to China and India ceased. This fighter is built for the Navy and aircraft carriers.

One of the most important advantages of this fighter over the Sukhoi-27 is its folding wing and the ability to fly and land on the deck of an aircraft carrier . The Sukhoi-33 has reinforced landing gear and chariots. Its wings are larger, and the main reason its wings are larger is that the aircraft is able to stop for a short distance when landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Upgraded engine, better front wheels as well as air refueling capability are some of the advantages of Sukhoi-33 compared to Sukhoi-27 . In 2009, the Russian Navy ordered the MiG-29K as a replacement for the Sukhoi-33.