védtávolság

Védtávolság, meaning "defensive distance" in Hungarian, is a concept primarily used in the context of military strategy and historical battlefield tactics. It refers to the strategic space or buffer zone that a military force establishes or maintains to protect itself from an enemy's immediate threat or attack. This distance is not fixed but rather fluid, depending on the capabilities of both the attacking and defending forces, the terrain, and the nature of the conflict.

Historically, védtávolság was crucial in formations like the phalanx or Roman legions, where maintaining a cohesive unit and preventing enemy cavalry charges or breaches was paramount. The depth of the formation and the spacing between soldiers contributed to this defensive distance. In siege warfare, it could refer to the distance from which attackers could safely launch projectiles without being vulnerable to the defenders' counter-attacks or sorties from the besieged stronghold.

In modern military doctrine, the concept translates into areas of operational control, buffer zones in peacekeeping operations, or the standoff distance required for launching long-range weapons systems. It can also encompass the psychological and tactical space that allows a commander to react to enemy actions, redeploy forces, and maintain command and control. The effectiveness of a given védtávolság is directly related to the available intelligence about the enemy's capabilities and intentions, as well as the defensive assets at the disposal of the protecting force.