The successor to the Vakar Starfighter, the Istale Light Fighter was a response to the growing raider activity within Circasian borders. The Istale Light Fighter was designed to be better able to combat comparable raider fighter designs and as such functioned as an interceptor fighter within the Circasian fleet. The Istale’s speed and durability proved a major advantage in combat and the fighter soon became the standard Circasian fighter.

The Istale Light Fighter served as the primary fighter craft of the Circasian Empire until the development of the hardier Jaga Medium Fighter in 1978. The last Istale Light Fighter was officially taken out of service after the end of the ak-Tai War.