A single-engined parasol monoplane, 32 R.31s were built for the Belgian Air Force, the survivors of which, although obsolete, remained in service when Nazi Germany invaded Belgium in 1940.

The Renard R.31 was the only World War II operational military aircraft entirely designed and built in Belgium.

[1] The R.31 entered service with the Belgian Air Force in 1935,[2] replacing the Breguet 19 in the 9e and 11e Escadrilles d'Observation based at Liège.

In service, it was not popular, as it had poor handling, being vulnerable to entering flat spins if mishandled, with all aerobatics therefore being banned.

[1] Following the German occupation of Belgium, the Luftwaffe had no interest in the machines, and those that had survived the initial onslaught were either unused or destroyed.