What does the term "suppressive fire" refer to?

The term "suppressive fire" specifically refers to fire delivered to suppress or limit the enemy's ability to return effective fire. This tactic is crucial in maintaining the safety of troop movements, allowing friendly forces to maneuver or reposition without facing immediate threats from the enemy's weapons. Suppressive fire aims to keep the enemy pinned down by making them less able to engage targets properly, thereby creating opportunities for friendly forces to act.

This type of fire is distinguished from other kinds of fire, such as destructive fire aimed at eliminating enemy positions or tactical strikes intended for signaling or targeting leadership. Suppressive fire is characterized by its purpose: not necessarily to inflict casualties but to neutralize the enemy's ability to conduct coordinated or effective actions during the engagement.