The Soviet naval air arm dates to 1918 and the Russian Civil War, when it used Grigorovich M-11 and M-12 flying boats. Its doctrine sought force maximisation from a state rich in manpower and able to mass-produce smaller, simpler machines, but short of the yards and machine tools needed for the largest ships and aircraft. That industrial model also supported ambitious experiments with paratroopers and long-range maritime patrol. Carriers entered Soviet plans and discussion during the 1920s even though immediate construction remained beyond the available industrial base. Carrier interest was part of a wider search for reach and military effect under tight material constraints.
Chapter · 11:19-13:31
Early Soviet naval aviation and force maximisation
The 1918 naval air arm used small flying boats and mass-production strengths to pursue paratroop and long-range patrol ideas before carriers were buildable.