What are the three purposes of suppressive fire?

The three purposes of suppressive fire center around effectively neutralizing the enemy's capabilities, enabling friendly forces to maneuver, and creating opportunities for tactical advantage. The first purpose, to kill or destroy the target, focuses on reducing the enemy's fighting strength or destroying key assets that could hinder your forces. The second purpose is to stop the threat's engagement process, which involves interrupting the enemy's ability to fire upon friendly forces, thus diminishing their capacity to engage effectively. Finally, allowing maneuver forces to close in is crucial for advancing on enemy positions, as suppressive fire provides the necessary cover, facilitating movement while minimizing risk to friendly units. This combination of objectives reflects a cohesive strategy for maintaining offensive momentum and ensuring the safety of personnel during operations.