It is the opening round in air war which must be the linchpin of success. Controlling attrition will be the key to victory as well as survival. Uncontrolled attrition can sound the death knell of any airforce and thereby sure defeat of all the three wings of military leading to national defeat. This study focuses on threats to combat planes, on the dilemma between their quality and quantity and the relationship of Doctrine, Strategy, Technology and Tactics to resultant attrition.