What term describes the targeting of enemy indirect fire systems before they engage friendly forces?

The term that accurately describes the targeting of enemy indirect fire systems before they engage friendly forces is known as proactive counterfire. This approach is focused on taking preemptive action against potential threats by identifying and neutralizing enemy artillery or mortars prior to them launching an attack.

Proactive counterfire emphasizes the importance of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to anticipate enemy fire capabilities and intentions, allowing friendly forces to strike first. This can significantly enhance battlefield effectiveness and reduce the risk to friendly units.

In contrast, reactive counterfire typically refers to operations that are conducted in response to an enemy attack after it has begun, rather than anticipating and preventing the attack. Deliberate counterfire involves well-planned strikes against identified enemy positions, but often lacks the immediacy of the proactive approach. Counterfire is a more general term that encompasses both proactive and reactive actions. Hence, proactive counterfire is specifically geared towards preemptively addressing the threat posed by enemy indirect fire capabilities before they can engage friendly forces.