Since horsepower was and remains the most important factor determining a fighter's prowess, it was only a matter of time before the Inspektion Fliegertruppen (Idflieg inspectorate of aviation troops) would support the construction of a fighter powered by the hefty 160 hp Oberursel U.III twin-row rotary engine. The natural choice was the Fokker Flugzeugwerke of Schwerin, whose monoplane fighters had begun to show remarkable victory scores. Armed with two or even three machine guns, the 160 hp Fokker fighter was calculated to be a formidable addition to the German air service armory.