What is the purpose of countermeasures in military aviation?

Countermeasures play a crucial role in military aviation by designating specific tactics to protect aircraft from threats, particularly in combat situations. Creating a target that is more prominent than the aircraft refers to deploying systems that generate decoys or false signals to confuse enemy radars and weapons systems. This draws the attention away from the actual aircraft, thereby increasing its chances of survival during operations.

While enhancing aircraft stealth is certainly a key aspect of modern military aviation, this involves technology and design rather than countermeasures specifically. Improving navigation and increasing fuel efficiency are important operational aspects; however, they do not directly pertain to countermeasures, which focus on evasion and protection from military threats.