pre-emptive attack
spoiling attack

She leaves herself wide open to easy tracking on active sonar, and a preemptive attack by us from below.

Once her aircraft are within range, they will begin a preemptive attack on the Chinese fleet.

Some countries see preemptive attacks as a legitimate strategy.

The document was a draft being revised to be consistent with the Bush doctrine of preemptive attack.

Then the time would be ripe for a preemptive attack!

This species is responsible for a preemptive attack on Earth in 2153.

On his shoulders rested the final decision to launch a preemptive attack or not.

To avoid war, each side had to understand the other's power and know that a preemptive attack could not prevent a counterattack.

North Korea stated that it had the right to make a preemptive nuclear attack.

His overture might seem a preemptive attack to the cat-man.