countervalue
Speech parts
1. countervalue - Adjective
2. countervalue - Verb
Meaning
(military) To target an opponent's assets which are of value but not actually a military threat, such as cities and civilian populations.
To make a counter estimate of something's value.
countervalue (not comparable)
(military) Targeting an opponent's assets which are of value but not actually a military threat, such as cities and civilian populations.
Antonym: counterforce
Examples
A counterforce weapon requires a much more accurate warhead than a countervalue weapon, as it must be guaranteed to detonate very close to its target, which drastically increases relative costs.
Early ICBMs and bombers were relatively inaccurate, which led to the concept of countervalue strikes — attacks directly on the enemy population, which would theoretically lead to a collapse of the enemy's will to fight.
Limited countervalue strikes Some NUTS theorists hold that a mutually assured destruction -type deterrent is not credible in cases of a small attack, such as one carried out on a single city, as it is suicidal.