What are the "principles of war"?

The principles of war are established as fundamental guidelines that govern the planning and execution of military operations. They encompass overarching concepts that military leaders utilize to effectively strategize, organize, and direct their forces in pursuit of victory. These principles help ensure that operations are coherent and capable of meeting the intended objectives, providing a framework within which strategies can be developed.

The principles are typically understood to include concepts such as objective, offensive, mass, economy of force, maneuver, unity of command, security, flexibility, and surprise. Each principle provides a different perspective on how to approach military engagements, enhancing the overall effectiveness of operations in diverse scenarios. By adhering to these principles, commanders can better allocate resources, coordinate units, and adapt to changing circumstances in the battlefield.

The other choices do not correctly define the principles of war. They either focus on aspects such as financial management or legal aspects, which are not fundamental to the operational planning of military engagements. Additionally, technical guidebooks for weaponry enhancements, while important in their own right, are not the same as the broader operational guidelines represented by the principles of war.