The Soko 522 was designed by Yugoslav engineers Šostarić, Marjanović and Čurčić at the Ikarus Aircraft Factory in Zemun.

The Soko 522 was used as the primary trainer aircraft for the Yugoslav air force until it was retired in 1978.

It gained some fame for its role in war movies filmed in Yugoslavia during the 1960s and 1970s, where it was used to portray the Fw 190 German fighter.

Some of its prominent movie roles were in the Yugoslav Oscar candidate Battle of Neretva and Kelly's Heroes, starring Clint Eastwood.

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1961–62[7]General characteristics Performance Armament Avionics radio AN-ARC-3, VKT 100-156 MHz range 45 km at 1000 ft, 200 km at 10,000 ft radiocompass AN-ARN-6 100-1750 kHz or AD-722