Developed and initially produced by Berliet until Berliet was merged with Saviem to form Renault Trucks (now Arquus),[1] it lost to the Saviem VAB the competition to equip the French Army, even though it was cheaper than its competitor.

Production stopped after fewer than 200 vehicles had been produced.

In 1967, the BL-12 was presented as a concept for the French military for transportation.

Following the merger of Berliet and Saviem under the Renault brand in 1974, became redundant in the brand product offering so production was stopped soon after the Gendarmerie order was complete.

[2] It has a small turret on the roof that can be equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun.