The FCM 36 was developed from 1934 onwards as part of a programme to replace the obsolete Renault FT. As it was more expensive to produce than competing designs, only a limited production of a hundred was authorised.

The commission was quite impressed by the vehicle, especially because of its welded sloped armour and the use of a diesel engine promising a good range.

As a result, the vehicle was completely redesigned with a new and lighter hull and turret configuration, suspension and track.

The prototype was now brought to the attention of the Commission d'Infanterie, who declared on 9 July that it was the best of all competitors, especially since it had been proven on 17 June to be completely gas-proof, a unique quality that was considered a very desirable feature at the time.

Even before the type had been approved, however, because of Germany's remilitarization of the Rhineland, on 26 May an order was hastily made for a hundred vehicles of the Char léger Modèle 1936 FCM for 450,000 FF a piece.

The Hotchkiss H35 and Renault R35 would also be taken into production, and as these competing types were a lot cheaper they would constitute the bulk of the French light infantry tanks produced.

The production facilities only began to be prepared from December 1936 and actual manufacture was delayed for a year to first test a newer design with a stronger engine and a lighter track.

This included the upper track run and the suspension units, protected by zig-zag armour plates.

The suspension was accordingly simplistic, consisting of eight road wheels per side sprung by eight vertical coil springs.

However these would happen to participate in the key event of 1940 during the Battle of France: the crossing of the Meuse river, by XIX Army Corps of Heinz Guderian on 14 May 1940.

Unique among those battalions equipped with light infantry tanks, these units would be called Bataillon de Chars Légers or BCLs: the 4e and 7e BCL, that each received 45 FCM 36s.

Due to the rout of the last French defence line at Bulson during the night and the ensuing confusion, the approach march could not begin until early in the morning of the 14th, when the first German tanks started to cross the river on pontoon bridges.

In the end, the appliqué armour of the FCM 36 failed and the welds, being weaker points between the plates, including the lower turret corners just above the chassis, were penetrated.

During Fall Rot they executed successful counterattacks on 9 and 10 June on the Aisne position, against German infantry units.

Later they tried to cover the retreat of the French Army, losing most of their combined strength of 45 in fights with German tanks.

In 1943 ten were rebuilt as Marder I tank destroyers, with the 75mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun and officially called 7.5cm PaK40(Sf) auf Geschützwagen FCM(f).