What does counter air focus on?

Counter air focuses on the integration of offensive and defensive operations aimed specifically at enemy aircraft and missiles. This includes actions taken to gain control of the airspace through both proactive measures (such as targeting enemy aircraft before they can strike) and reactive measures (such as defending against incoming aerial threats). The primary objective is to protect friendly forces and assets from aerial attacks and to ensure an advantageous position in the air, enabling broader operational success in joint military campaigns.

By prioritizing both the destruction of enemy aerial capabilities and safeguarding friendly platforms, counter air operations play a critical role in establishing air superiority. This, in turn, supports the effectiveness of all military operations that depend on air access, including supporting land, sea, and joint forces on the battlefield.