Which of the following is NOT a reason for conducting a defense?

Maintaining constant offensive pressure is not a reason for conducting a defense. The primary purpose of a defense is to consolidate forces, hold ground, and create conditions that can lead to counteroffensive actions when the situation allows. While offensive operations are critical to military strategy, the defense serves different objectives, such as preparing for enemy attacks or regaining lost territory.

In contrast, regaining decisive terrain and increasing enemy vulnerability align with defensive strategies, as these actions aim to leverage the defensive position to encourage the enemy to overextend or to set the stage for counterattacks. Similarly, responding to surprise enemy actions is a fundamental aspect of defensive operations, which often require immediate and effective reaction to unforeseen threats. Thus, the focus of a defense is on stability and preparation for future offensive maneuvers rather than on sustaining continuous offensive actions.