Su-33Sukhoi A Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33RoleCarrier-based air superiority fighter and multirole fighterNational originSoviet Union RussiaManufacturerSukhoi, Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production AssociationFirst flight17 August 1987; 34 years agoIntroduction31 August 1998 StatusIn servicePrimary userRussian NavyProduced1987–1999Number builtapprox. 35Developed fromSukhoi Su-27First used in operations in 1995 aboard the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the fighter officially entered service in August 1998, by which time the designation "Su-33" was used. Following the break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent downsizing of the Russian Navy, only 24 aircraft were produced. Attempted sales to China and India fell through. With plans to retire the Su-33 once they reach the end of their service life, the Russian Navy ordered the MiG-29K as a replacement in 2009.