USSR Local War Doctrine as Rationale for the Development of the Soviet CTOL Aircraft Carrier

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USSR Local War Doctrine as Rationale for the Development of the Soviet CTOL Aircraft Carrier

S. G. Stefansky

This thesis attempts to determine whether the apparent shift in Soviet 'local war' doctrine, reflecting and increased willingness to involve Soviet military force in Third World crises, provided an important rationale for the construction of the first legitimate attack aircraft carrier. Following a historical chronology of Soviet perceptions about aircraft carriers, this study details Soviet thought on aircraft carriers in general and their utility in particular, during the period 1969-1977; the juncture wherein the apparent shift in their doctrine and the formal decision to build the carrier occurred. It is the contention of this writer that the nearly simultaneous occurrence of these events was more than mere coincidence. Moscow has long understood the utility of navies as a political and military tool in Third World crises and may have decided to provide this branch of their armed forces with increased capabilities to intervene more decisively and to effect terms favorable to Soviet foreign policy objectives.