What is the purpose of planning and integrating obstacles during EA DEV?

The purpose of planning and integrating obstacles during the Engagement Area Development (EA DEV) is to channel enemy movement. This strategic design is crucial for the effective use of terrain and forces in a combat environment. By creating obstacles, commanders aim to direct the enemy into specific areas where they can be effectively engaged by friendly forces.

When the enemy is channeled into these predetermined paths, it enhances the effectiveness of firepower and increases the likelihood of successful operations against them. This allows units to maximize their advantages, such as utilizing overlapping fields of fire, increasing the efficiency of anti-tank and anti-personnel weapons, and minimizing the enemy's ability to maneuver or disperse effectively.

In the context of battlefield operations, the use of obstacles serves to create a disadvantage for the adversary while simultaneously providing favorable conditions for friendly forces. This principle underscores the importance of deliberate planning and tactical foresight in military operations, particularly during the execution of defensive strategies.