Following India’s independence in 1947, the Royal Indian Air Force was divided two parts. Three of the ten operational squadrons and facilities located within the borders of Pakistan were transferred to Royal Pakistan Air Force During the first Indo-Pak War, the RIAF provided effective transport and close air support in the Indian troops but it did not engage in air to air combat with Pakistan Air Force. In 1950, the Royal title was dropped to become the Indian Air Force. During the Indian China War of 1962 India’s military plans failed to use the IAF effectively against the invading Chinese forces. Three years hence, in 1965 India went on to was two the Pakistan. Indian decided to use its air force extensively during the war, learning from the experiences for the Indo-China War. This was the first time that the IAF actively engaged in a major conflict. It carried out independent attacks against Pakistani Air Force bases. These bases were located deep inside Pakistani territory making IAF fighters susceptible to anti-aircraft fire. During the conflict, the PAF had qualitative superiority over the IAF as most of the jets in IAF’s fleet were old fashioned. Yet, the IAF was enabled to preserve PAF from gaining air superiority over conflict zones. After the cease fire between the two countries, Pakistan claimed to have shot down113 IAF aircraft. While the Indians claimed the 73 PAF aircraft were downed. The IAF lost more than 60% of its air combat during the disastrous battles over Kalaikunda and Pathankot.