The Indian Air Force Principal Combat Aircraft Types in 1962

In1962, the Indian Air Force had some 20 combat squadrons, the most potent types being the Hawker Hunter ( 6 squadrons), Mystere IVA ( 3 squadrons), Gnat (2 squadrons), Ouragan (3 squadrons), Vampire (3 squadrons) and Canberra (4 squadrons).

Totalling some 350 plus aircraft, and operating from trained aircrew, professional assessment is that the IAF would have outperformed the PLAAF over the high Himalayan battlegrounds.

Hawker Hunter F.56 Dassault Mystere IVA Folland Gnat Dassault Ouragan (Toofani) English Electric Canberra B (I) 58 Not to scale