Initial French Army models were the "Chenillette Modele 31" but growing unrest in Europe caused the service to seek out an improved form of the product should war with Germany come to pass. Renault responded with the "Renault UE 2" and this variant introduced a new transmission system, night lights and reinforcement of various internal components for a more robust end-product. The design was approved and Renault amended its already-running production lines for the new mark in 1937. As such, the formal French Army designation for the type became "Chenillette de Ravitaillement d'Infanterie Modele 1937 R" and production would be handled by various brands including AMX and Fouga.
The UE Chenillette was always intended for the tactical resupply role and not a direct combat vehicle but Renault showcased a machine gun-armed version to increase the appeal of the UE Chenillette as a fighting vehicle to both local and foreign interested parties. This initiative was of limited commercial success, however, but some of the little tanks were armed by the French in the desperate defense of their homeland following the German invasion of May 1940 (the Battle of France). Those examples surviving the German onslaught and subsequent occupation were kept on by the Vichy French government for local defense.
The Germans captured between 1,200 and 3,000 of the vehicles (sources vary) after the French surrender and largely used these specimens in their intended role of artillery moving. Some of the stock were armed through various tank-killing guns such as 37mm and 50mm types up to the German 75mm and captured Soviet 76.2mm types and used as converted tank destroyers and self-propelled guns. A number were also passed on to allied Italy during the war. During 1944, German General Rommel ordered some of the existing UE Chenillette tanks at his disposal to be modified as self-propelled grenade launchers.
Other wartime operators included Romania, Poland, Thailand and China. A post-war user became Syria.
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