The Amiot 354 was the last in a series of fast, twin-engine bombers which fought with the French Air Force in limited numbers during the Battle of France.

In August 1933, the Armée de l'Air (French Air Force) issued a requirement for a reconnaissance bomber (Bombardment Combat Renseignement - BCR).

On 16 August, it flew from Villacoublay to Berlin at an average cruise speed of 440 km/h (270 mph; 240 kn) and altitude of 4,200 m (13,800 ft).

[6][8] After returning from Germany, the prototype underwent another series of modifications, converting the aircraft to the preferred four-seat configuration, with a twin tail to improve the field of fire for its dorsal cannon.

Though 130 machines were ordered by the French government that year, production delays and modifications ensured that by September 1939 none had been delivered.

Due to technical problems with the armament installation, many aircraft went to operational units with only a rifle-calibre machine-gun in the dorsal position.

On 16 May 1940, the Amiot 351/354s carried out armed reconnaissance sorties over Maastricht in the Netherlands - the first operation conducted by planes of this type.