The Su-33 (Su-27K) (NATO reporting name: Flanker-D) is a carrier-based variant that first flew in may 1985, and entered service in Russian Navy in 1994. The air regiment comprising 24 fighters of the type was formedup on Russia's only} operating aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov.
The Su-33 can carry guided missiles like the H-25MP. The Su-33 is employed in both night and day operations at sea, and operate with the command center ship and with the Ka-31 early-warning helicopter. With the R-27EM missiles it will intercept antiship missiles. The air-to-ground capability seems to be comparable to the Su-27SK. it's reported to hold the Kh-31 (AS-17 `Krypton') ASMs underwing. though it was exhibited with an inert 4,500 kg Kh-41 (3M80 Moskit: mosquito) anti-ship missile on the centerline, this thought of as impracticable as an operational load.
