The backbone of the Air Force, the F-19 Adler is a 4th-generation lightweight multirole fighter developed in the late 1980s during a period of shifting military doctrine following the Cold War. Designed as a fast, agile, and cost-effective platform, it was developed collaboratively by Strato Industries and Steiner Aerosystems.

Intended to perform in both air superiority and ground-attack roles, the F-19 Adler prioritizes high agility, pilot visibility, and reliability over stealth or digital integration. It quickly became popular with smaller allied air forces due to its ease of maintenance, modular upgrade potential, and impressive combat performance across varied conditions.

Over its service life, the Adler has achieved a kill-to-loss ratio of 81 to 8, demonstrating strong performance in various conflicts and operational environments.

The F-19 has undergone several upgrades and has spawned multiple variants:

Variants
• F-19A: Original production model focused on air combat.
• F-19B: Two-seat version used for training and light strike missions.
• F-19A/B Block II: Improved avionics, enhanced radar suite, upgraded engine reliability, and compatibility with newer air-to-air missiles.
• F-19A/B Block III: Integrated data link system, helmet-mounted sight, and additional electronic warfare systems.
• F-19A/B Block IV: Incorporates new composite materials for reduced weight, modular avionics, improved radar cross-section (not stealth), and upgraded cockpit displays.