Built for a 1933 requirement for a multi-purpose bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, the MB.131 was a rather attractive twin-engined design which incorporated a number of modern features such as all-metal construction and a retractable undercarriage. Development was somewhat slow due to a rethink of the design shortly after the prototype's maiden flight but ultimately over one hundred were built before the outbreak of the war, serving in France and North Africa. However, the aircraft was already obsolete at the time and incurred heavy losses during both daytime and nighttime raids over Western Germany during the so-called 'Phoney War' and were eventually replaced by the more modern Potez 63. After the surrender, a few continued flying for Vichy forces as target tugs while a smaller number of captured units even ended up in Luftwaffe hands.

First flight of the MB.130 took place on 29 June 1934, it was eventually redesigned as the MB.131 two years later which incorporated a glazed nose and a tall single fin and rudder. Production models began with the MB.131R4 which was used for reconnaissance purposes exclusively. The major production variant, however, was the MB.131RB4 which was the first to be designed with offensive capability via an internal bomb bay and increased defensive armament. A twin-tailed variant was designated MB.133 but only one prototype was built and eventually converted to a standard MB.131.