The aircraft was developed in response to a request from the French Air Force Armée de l’air, which was looking for a basic trainer that could be used after basic training but before jet training.

Its tasks are pilot selection, basic training, instrument flight and navigation training, formation flying, and aerobatics training. It is designed for a load multiple of +7/-3.5 g. Thanks to its design, the tandem cockpit facilitates the transition to jet aircraft.

The prototype had its maiden flight on 22nd December 1979.