Which type of grenade is considered the most versatile?

The most versatile type of grenade is the fragmentation grenade. This grenade is designed to disperse lethal fragments in all directions upon detonation, making it effective for use against personnel and light equipment across various combat scenarios. Its design allows for a combination of both offensive and defensive capabilities, providing soldiers flexibility in engagement tactics.

Fragmentation grenades can be employed to create a disruption in enemy forces, clear areas of personnel, and even to provide a means of psychological warfare. Additionally, they can be used tactically in buildings, trenches, and during ambushes, where their ability to cause casualties extends well beyond the immediate blast radius due to the shrapnel generated.

While incendiary, white phosphorus, and smoke grenades serve specific purposes such as causing fires, creating obscurants, or marking targets, they do not offer the same range of application and adaptability in various combat situations as the fragmentation grenade. This diversity in operational use reinforces why the fragmentation grenade is considered the most versatile.