Soviet missiles and Western carrier reach

Did Western navies rely on carriers before fielding Exocet or Harpoon while the Soviets emphasized ship-launched missiles?

Yes. The Soviet Navy needed missiles for reach, while Western navies relied on carrier aircraft and submarines to extend their striking range.

The Soviet missile emphasis compensated for a lack of equivalent carrier reach. The Western approach was a different force design built around carrier aircraft and submarines extending the fleet's striking radius.