The PZL P.11F was the third most numerous variant of the Puławski-wing Polish fighter family, after the P.11c and P.7a. Its development began in 1934, when Poland sought foreign buyers for its new P.11c. A prototype (P.11/V) shown at the 1934 Paris Air Show attracted Romania, which had already operated P.11Bs. Romania purchased a production license in early 1935, though political and financial issues delayed the transfer of the prototype—fitted with an IAR 9K (600 hp) engine—until early 1936.
Production at the IAR factory in Brașov began late 1936 with Polish technical assistance and some Polish-made components (notably Szomański propellers and Stomil tires). Compared with the P.11c, the Romanian P.11F had a different engine and cowling, a new propeller, Romanian instruments, and four 7.92 mm FN Browning guns, making it the best-armed P.11 variant. Building the all-metal P.11F gave IAR valuable experience later applied to the IAR 80 fighter.
The first P.11Fs entered Romanian service in July 1937; the last of 95 aircraft was delivered in November 1938. Although aging by then, they formed a significant regional air force asset. P.11Fs served during the 1940 crises with the USSR and Hungary, the 1941 invasion of Yugoslavia, and Operation Barbarossa, mainly in ground-attack roles. Withdrawn from the front at the end of 1941, they continued in air defense and training roles until 1948. No P.11F survives today.