The Renault R35 was conceived as a replacement for the venerable FT17 tank of World War I vintage but although it never fully achieved this, it was nevertheless the most numerous French tank at the start of World War II. The R35 shared many of the same characteristics of contemporary French tanks, namely a small single-crew member turret (identically to that fitted in the H35) and a cast hull with the sections bolted together. Armament was composed of a 37-mm SA 18 gun, which was adequate for a pre-war tank while the suspension was composed of five roadwheels; four of them paired in bogies and the other sprung independently. Additionally, most had an attachable tail which increased their trench crossing capability. Still, speed was mediocre for a light tank, being inferior to that of the heavier S35. The lack of a radio was also a liability although some were fitted later in their service life. Nearly 1,000 were on hand with the French Army when the Germans invaded in May 1940 but their use as infantry support weapons gave them little strategic use during the ill-fated campaign. Large quantities survived and were taken over by the Germans and used for a variety of roles. Additionally, it was in use with numerous pre-war export customers including Poland, Romania, Turkey and Yugoslavia. Some were inherited by Syria and used in the 1948 war against Israel.

A requirement for a replacement for the FT-17 led to four companies submitting designs, of which the Renault ZM (later R35) was chosen. A successor became known as the R40 (or AMX-40 following the nationalization of the military industry in 1936) which had a revised suspension and was equipped with a more powerful longer-barreled SA 38 gun. In German service, the R35 was known as the PzKpfw 35R 731(f) while some were adapted for towing artillery or as ammunition carriers. An anti-tank variant was known as the 4.7cm Pak(t) auf GW R35(f). This featured a new open-topped superstructure with a Czech-made 47-mm gun. Other variants included the 10.5cm leFH 18 auf GW 36R(f) as well as an 80mm mortar Mörserträger 35R(f).