What is the purpose of the tactical task "suppress"?

The purpose of the tactical task "suppress" is to temporarily degrade enemy performance. This involves actions taken to limit the effectiveness of the enemy forces, enabling friendly units to operate more freely without the immediate threat posed by adversary capabilities. By targeting enemy assets and reducing their operational capabilities, friendly forces can maneuver, regroup, or advance with increased safety and effectiveness. This suppression can involve various means, such as artillery fire, air support, or other forms of firepower designed to diminish the enemy's combat capability in the short term.

In a tactical context, achieving this objective allows forces to create opportunities for success in subsequent actions, whether that's offensive maneuvers or defensive preparations. The focus is not merely on causing destruction or occupying territory, but specifically on disrupting and degrading an enemy's ability to respond effectively in the ongoing operational environment.