What is the purpose of suppression in a tactical mission context?

In a tactical mission context, the purpose of suppression is primarily to temporarily degrade the performance of enemy forces. This is achieved by targeting their capabilities that allow them to effectively engage friendly forces, thereby limiting their effectiveness in the field. Suppression can involve direct fire or indirect fire operations aimed at enemy positions, with the goal of hindering their ability to respond, maneuver, or provide support to their units.

Effectively using suppression creates the necessary conditions for friendly forces to maneuver or execute an attack, thereby enhancing overall mission success. This action creates a window of opportunity for allied units to advance, exploit weaknesses, or reposition without facing immediate retaliation from the enemy.

While distracting enemy forces may be a component of broader tactical operations, it does not encapsulate the primary aim of suppression. Similarly, while neutralizing enemy capabilities is important, suppression focuses more on temporarily degrading performance rather than complete neutralization, which may require more prolonged engagements or different tactical approaches. Preparing for an attack can be a result of suppression but is not its main purpose; suppression specifically aims to reduce the immediate threat posed by the enemy during a mission.