What is the preferred artillery munition when attacking tanks?

Selecting High Explosive (HE) munitions when attacking tanks is preferred for several reasons. HE rounds are specifically designed to penetrate armor and create significant damage to armored vehicles. The explosive force generated upon impact can cause shattering effects on tank armor and affect internal components, including the crew and critical systems of the tank. This makes HE munitions effective for neutralizing armored threats.

Additionally, HE projectiles are widely used and supported by various artillery systems, providing a balance between availability, effectiveness, and the ability to deliver artillery fire at range. The destructive blast produced by HE rounds is capable of inflicting damage not only through penetration but also through blast effects, which can disrupt operations and reduce the effectiveness of tank units.

In contrast, smoke munitions are typically used for obscuring vision rather than direct destruction of targets. Fragmentation rounds are more suited for soft targets and personnel, as they spread shrapnel over a wider area, which is not ideal against heavily armored vehicles. Incendiary munitions can cause fires but may not reliably penetrate the armor of tanks or produce enough blast effect to incapacitate them. Therefore, HE munitions remain the most effective choice for engaging armored targets.