Although designated as the SOKO G4 Super Galeb, this two-seat basic trainer/light strike aircraft, which has been designed by SOKO to replace the G2-A Galeb in basic and advanced training units of the Yugoslav air force, differs considerably in design from its near-namesake. Most conspicuously, it has swept wings and all-swept tail surfaces, the tailplane having pronounced anhedral, and its performance is considerably improved by the introduction of a more powerful version of the Rolls-Royce Viper turbojet. The first of two prototypes was flown on 17 July 1978 and the first of six pre-production aircraft on 17 December 1980. These and the first prototype were designated G-4 PPP, and had fixed tailplanes with inset elevators and no anhedral.

Production examples (and the second prototype) were designated G-4 and featured an all-moving anhedral tailplane and comprehensive avionics improvements. The G-4 first flew in 1983 and has been ordered in large numbers for the Yugoslav air force. They have already been delivered to the Air Academy at Zemunik (now relocated at Udbina) and to advanced flying schools at Pula and Totograd. The academy fleet includes the 'Letece Zvezde' (Flying Stars) formation display team, whose aircraft are painted in a striking red, white and blue colour scheme. Twelve G-4s, in two batches of six, were delivered to Myanmar in 1991 and 1992.

A developed ground-attack trainer, with advanced avionics, an upgraded nav/attack system, and wingtip missile launch rails has been developed under the designation G-4M, but no prototype has flown. A similar single-seat derivative designated G-5 is also under development.