On 22 June 1941, during the first day of the offensive, the IAR 80 patrols had their baptism of fire, achieving a single aerial victory (claimed by "Sublocotenent aviator" Ioan Mihăilescu of "Esc 60 van", a future ace) during four separate air combats. However, at least four IARs force landed with battle damage, while another two suffered engine trouble. By the end of 1941, 20 IAR 80/81s had been lost in combat or accidents. During 1942 the Romanian aviation industry reached its highest output so that the Royal Romanian Air Force could be re-equipped as follows: Esc. 47, 48 and 52 ("Grupul Vânătoare"), Esc. 43, 44 and 50 ("Grupul 3 Vânătoare") and Esc. 41, 42 and 60 ("Grupul 8 Vânătoare") received the new IAR 80A. Esc. 53 also replaced its Hurricanes with the IAR 80A, while "Grupul 6 Bopi" re-equipped with the IAR 81.