What is the strategic objective of attrition warfare?

The strategic objective of attrition warfare is to wear down and overwhelm the enemy by inflicting continuous losses in personnel and material. This approach focuses on diminishing the enemy's fighting capability over time, highlighting the importance of sustained engagement rather than quick victories. Attrition warfare often involves engaging in prolonged battles with the aim of exhausting the opponent's resources, which can lead to a critical breakdown in their operational capabilities and morale.

This strategy contrasts with approaches that emphasize speed or tactical maneuverability, such as employing guerrilla tactics or executing rapid strikes, which focus on smaller, quick engagements rather than the sustained pressure characteristic of attrition. Similarly, a defensive approach does not align with the offensive nature of attrition warfare, which seeks to actively degrade the enemy’s forces.