SIAI-Marchetti began developing the S-211 as a private initiative in 1976 and announced its existence the following year. The first prototype made its maiden flight in April 1981. The Singapore Air Force placed its first order for ten aircraft in 1983. Around 60 aircraft were sold to air forces around the world. After the purchase of SIAI-Marchetti by Aermacchi in 1997, Aermacchi held the production rights for this type. A comprehensively revised and modernised derivative, the Aermacchi M-345, was developed by Alenia Aermacchi and entered service in 2020.

In 1976, the Italian aircraft manufacturer SIAI-Marchetti began work on what would later become the S-211. The project was launched as a private venture to develop a new basic training aircraft. SIAI-Marchetti planned to offer the type to the company’s existing customer base, which consisted of various air forces around the world that used their SF.260, a piston-engined trainer aircraft. The existence of the programme was announced in Paris in 1977. Customer interest was reportedly high enough to justify the construction of two prototypes, the first of which flew on 10th April 1981. In 1983, the Singapore Air Force placed the first order for the S-211 for ten aircraft.