Russia flexes air power with rare Su‑33 bomber escort
Russia sent Su-33 and MiG-31 fighters to escort Tu-95MS bombers over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas. The actions were part of a mission demonstrating the Kremlin's strength, reminiscent of the Cold War era, reports Bulgarian Military. Interestingly, Russia rarely uses the Su-33 to escort strategic bombers.
Russia decided to use Su-33 fighters to escort strategic bombers Tu-95MS, also known as "Bears," during their flight over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas. This mission, reminiscent of the Cold War era, aimed to demonstrate Russia's capability to project air power far beyond its borders.
Su-33 escorted Russia's strategic bombers
The bombers were escorted by armed MiG-31 and Su-33 fighters, which is unusual since such tasks are typically carried out by MiG-31, Su-30SM, or Su-35S fighters. During the flight, Russian aircraft were accompanied at some stages by foreign fighters, likely Norwegian F-35s or British Typhoons, which frequently intercept Russian aircraft in this region, reports Bulgarian Military.
The use of the Su-33, which is rarely deployed for bomber escort, could suggest several things. One possibility is the desire to expand the operational use of these fighters, especially since the only Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, remains under repair. Alternatively, it might have been an integration exercise between the Russian Air Force and Navy.
Su-33 fighter
The Su-33, also known under the NATO designation as Flanker-D, is a multi-role carrier-based fighter developed by the Russian Sukhoi Design Bureau. This aircraft represents the naval version of the famous Su-27, adapted for operations from aircraft carriers, which involved a series of significant design modifications. The aircraft features, among others, reinforced landing gear, an arrestor hook for carrier landings, and folding wings, which facilitate storage in confined hangar spaces. The Su-33 was primarily designed to ensure air superiority over the sea, protect naval strike groups, and intercept hostile aircraft. It can also perform strike functions, attacking ground and sea targets.
The Su-33 is powered by two Saturn AL-31F turbofan engines, which provide it with a maximum speed of up to 2,300 km/h at high altitudes. The operational range of the aircraft is approximately 3,000 km without additional fuel tanks, and the range with full armament and in combat configuration is correspondingly less, though still significant thanks to the ability to refuel in-flight. The Su-33 is characterized by good manoeuvrability, which it owes, among other things, to large control surfaces, canards, and an advanced fly-by-wire control system.
The equipment of the fighter includes the phased array radar N001K, adapted for operation in difficult maritime conditions, as well as electro-optical and navigation systems that assist the pilot in combat tasks. The Su-33 can carry a wide range of armaments: from medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles R-27 and R-77, to short-range R-73 missiles, as well as guided and unguided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. Its armament is complemented by an integrated 30 mm calibre GSh-30-1 gun.
