What are the general purposes of tactical defensive missions?

The general purposes of tactical defensive missions primarily focus on the protection of personnel and equipment. In a defensive operation, the key objective is to create a secure environment that safeguards forces against enemy actions while maintaining the operational capability to respond effectively. This involves employing various strategies and maneuvers to repulse attacks, minimize vulnerabilities, and ensure that troops and assets remain intact and functional.

By establishing defensive positions, utilizing cover and concealment, and employing coordinated responses to threats, the mission's success hinges on the ability to preserve forces. Protecting personnel and equipment allows a unit to sustain its operational readiness and ensures that it can continue to defend or transition to offensive actions when the situation permits.

While gaining dominance over enemy forces, establishing control over critical supply lines, and enhancing offensive capabilities are important military objectives, they usually fall more within the scope of offensive operations or broader strategic initiatives rather than the specific focus of tactical defensive missions. Defensive operations are fundamentally structured around holding ground, safeguarding assets, and maintaining stability in the face of potential assaults.