What type of defensive operation focuses on the defeat of the enemy through a decisive attack by a striking force?

The correct choice highlights the essence of a mobile defense, which is characterized by a strategy that actively seeks to defeat the enemy through both maneuver and decisive engagement using a striking force. In a mobile defense, forces are allocated in a way that they can exploit the enemy's movements, striking decisively at vulnerable points when opportunities arise.

The concept involves a combination of both defensive and offensive operations, allowing forces to remain agile and responsive to the enemy's tactics. This capability to shift between defense and offense is crucial for achieving the desired outcomes, especially when the attacker is expected to commit resources in a specific direction. By creating opportunities through maneuvering and deceptive plans, a mobile defense can effectively wear down an opponent while setting the stage for a powerful counter-offensive strike that aims to collapse the enemy's capability.

In contrast, other types of defensive operations such as area defense focus primarily on holding terrain and preventing enemy occupation rather than seeking to decisively engage them at opportune moments. Deception defense involves misleading the enemy about the strength or capabilities of the defending force, but does not inherently focus on the decisive attack. Mobile strike, although it might convey a sense of offensive action, does not capture the comprehensive operational planning typical of a mobile defense. Therefore, the