The IG-97 battle droid, sometimes referred to as Imperial Battle Droids, represented a specific type of battle droid manufactured in the early years of the Galactic Empire's rule.
Holowan Mechanicals acquired Phlut Design Systems, the original creators of the IG lancer droids for the InterGalactic Banking Clan, and subsequently modified the lancer designs. This led to Holowan's production of the IG-97, along with other models like the IG-88 series, IG-72, and the IG-100 MagnaGuard series.
Due to their insufficient combat capabilities, production was halted after the Empire observed their weakness in battle, despite their design similarities to the B1-series battle droid that the Trade Federation utilized during the Clone Wars.
Rom Mohc, an Imperial officer, famously won a battle against an IG-97 prototype in hand-to-hand combat and kept the droid as a prize.
A specific IG-97 unit became well-known on Tatooine, where it assisted Big Gizz, Spiker, Onoh, and Klepti B'ay in their victory over a renegade dark trooper.