Re: Ideal chinese carrier thread
The Russians had an EW version of Su-33 under R&D, called SU-27KPP. However no actual product has been revealed to date. If the Russians are serious about building additional aircraft carriers, I think we'd see more investment in the Su-33 product. But for now, the current generation Su-33's are rather dated, and the proposed upgrade in 1999 hasn't materialized.
Let's look at Indian Navy's upgrades to the MiG-29K:
MiG-29K (Product 9.31)
Modification was made for Indian Navy requirement featured Zhuk-ME radar, RD-33MK engine, combat payload up to 5,500 kg, 13 hardpoints (inclusive of the multi-lock bomb carriers), additional fuel tanks situated in dorsal spine fairing and wing LERXs, increased total fuel capacity by 50% comparing to first variant of MiG-29 and updated 4-channel digital fly-by-wire flight control system. With special coatings MiG-29K radar reflecting surface is 4-5 times smaller than of basic MiG-29. Cockpit displays consist of wide HUD and 3 (7 on MiG-29KUB) colour LCD MFDs and French Sigma-95 satellite GPS module and Topsight E helmet-mounted targeting system. Compatible with the full range of weapons carried by the MiG-29M and MiG-29SMT.[25] NATO reporting code is Fulcrum-D.
And the proposed Su-33 upgrade from 1999:
A 1999 Sukhoi/KnAAPO/Rosvooruzheni brochure described a Su-33 Upgrade configuration, though there is no real evidence that any such programme has been funded. The cockpit is to gain two large colour LCD multifunction displays, with a modernised flight control/navigation system and enhanced air-to-ground capabilities. The upgraded Su-33 is to be compatible with the R-77 (AA-12 “Adder”) AAM and with a range of air-to-ground PGMs, including TV-guided Kh-29, Kh-59N, KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr and laser-guided Kh-29L, KAB-500L, and KAB-1500L. The use of the Kh-31P will give the aircraft an effective SEAD capability.
Su-30K-2/Su-33UB proposed variant:
...New 'glass cockpit' with five colour LCD displays (one 53 cm; 21 in diagonally; rest 38 cm; 15 in) with provision for central or sidestick and with helmet-mounted sighting system. Aircraft has OBOGS and OBIGGS and so does not need oxygen or nitrogen bottles. N014 solid-state, phased-array radar, with enhanced air-to-ground and over-water capabilities...
I'd make an educated guess that the baseline MiG-29K and Su-33 products are 1980s level technology, and didn't fit India and China's requirements. If Indian Navy required many upgrades before accepting the MiG-29K, we can expect the PLAN, should they ever import the Su-33, to ask for similar upgrades. Perhaps Russian Navy would piggyback on the Chinese Su-33 upgrade projects too.
When you look inside a Su-33 cockpit today, this is probably what you'd see:
Versus what China would prefer see instead:
If and when China gets Su-33's, expect many upgrades!
