ABSTRACT
The naval expansion since 1956 has substantially increased Soviet offensive power, posing serious threats to the West, and Soviet Naval Aviation is a prime component of this naval buildup. The Kronstadt rebellion in March 1921 prompted a vast purge of the navy. These purges and those that were to take place later under Stalin virtually destroyed Soviet Naval Aviation. Successful antisubmarine warfare, which is regarded as "the basic essence of war at sea as a whole," is the primary mission of Soviet Naval Aviation. Soviet aircraft often initially detect enemy submarines by dropping sonobuoys, which acoustically detect the target. The range, speed, firepower, flexibility, and capability of Soviet aircraft enable them to strike against either sea or shore targets. The primary target of these strikes would be US attack aircraft carriers and their aircraft. Soviet Naval Aviation's greatest weakness is that it has many antiquated, less-capable aircraft.
