The Cheetah C's were converted from 38 ex Israeli Kfir C2/C7 airframes, which were purchased minus engines. Because of the UN arms embargo against SA, Israel was unable to supply the Kfir's fitted with the American J-79 engine. South Africa subsequently fitted the Cheetah C's with the Mirage F1 Atar engine, as these were being produced locally under licence from France.
