Still incomplete when the French signed an armistice to end the Battle of France, material shortages prevented her completion and she was placed in reserve.

The turbines were designed to produce 58,000 metric horsepower (42,659 kW; 57,207 shp), which was intended to give the ships a maximum speed of 37 knots (69 km/h; 43 mph).

[3] The main armament of the Le Hardi-class ships consisted of six Canon de 130 mm Modèle 1932 guns in three twin mounts, one forward and a superfiring pair aft of the superstructure.

The ship remained at Toulon after the French surrendered on 22 June 1940 and began her trials the following day, although she still lacked her armament.

On 1 April 1941, Le Flibuster was renamed Bison to commemorate the large destroyer of that name that was sunk during the Norwegian Campaign of 1940.