during the 80s atlantia realized they would benefit from a small well rounded fighter aircraft. they evaluated both the f16 and the mig 29 and found both good but slightly limited.
then they were approached by northrop with their recently binned f20 tigershark and decided to buy the plans/design wholesale.
then they set about improving it making it a delta increased range and weaponload considerably. coupled with an atlantian engine compact yet powerfull (~24,000 lb thrust in reheat) made this light fighter an excellent performer.