What is the primary purpose of high explosive (HE) mortar rounds?

The primary purpose of high explosive (HE) mortar rounds is to inflict damage on personnel and equipment. HE rounds are designed to explode on impact, creating a lethal blast radius and fragmentation that can effectively destroy or incapacitate enemy forces and destroy equipment such as vehicles, weapon systems, and fortifications.

These rounds are integral to modern warfare as they provide indirect fire support to ground troops, enhancing combat effectiveness by delivering powerful and precise firepower on target areas inhabited by enemy forces. The explosive force generated upon detonation is critical for penetrating defenses and inflicting maximum casualties, making them a fundamental asset in various operational scenarios.

While smoke screens and illumination rounds serve specific tactical roles, such as obscuring troop movements or providing light in dark conditions, their goals are distinct from the destructive intention of HE rounds. Additionally, practice rounds are not designed for engagement but rather for honing skills in firing techniques, further differentiating their purpose from that of HE rounds. Thus, the correct identification of high explosive mortar rounds as primarily intended for damage illustrates a crucial understanding of their role in military operations.