Point defence (or point defense; see spelling differences) is the defence of a single object or a limited area, e.g. a ship, building or an airfield, now usually against air attacks and guided missiles.
[1] Point defence weapons have a smaller range in contrast to area-defence systems and are placed near or on the object to be protected.
Point defence may include: Coastal artillery to protect harbours is similar conceptually, but is generally not classified as point defence.
Similarly, passive systems—electronic countermeasures, decoys, chaff, flares, barrage balloons—are not considered point defence.
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