F3 self-propelled howitzer was developed by French "Crezo-Luar" company in 50-ties. First test vehicle was finished in 1962 and serial production began in 1966. Ovarall number of vehicles produced is 600 howitzers. It is used by French, Argentina, Chile, Cyprus, Ecuador, Morocco, Sudan, Quartar, Venezuela armed forces.

Howitzer is based on AMX-13 light tank base. Front engine compartment arrangement allowed place gun in it's rear part. Chassis was slightly modified - the last dirrecting wheel works as suspension bearing roll at the same time. Additional landing mount was placed in the rear part to ensure fire stability.

Self-propelled vehicle is armed with M-50 155-mm field howitzer. Aiming device allows to aim gun from 0° to +50° in elevation range. Travers range is 50° (25° to both sides). Main gun is fitted with 33 caliber length barrel.

Ammunition load consists from modular rounds with High Exlosion Fragmentation (ordinary and active reaction), smoke, and illumination projectils. It is able to fire redeveloped 155-mm projectiles, but with lower power load.

During the march howitzer crew is transported separately from the howitzer itself in AMX-13VCA armored personnel carrier which also towes two wheel hitch with ammunition load. Self-propeled howitzer is runned by a driver, placed in his compartment in the front part of the vehicle.

At the moment F3 is old-dated self-propelled howitzer. Improvement works are intended to keep howitzer tactical-technical charracteristics at the required level. Old engine is changed to the new "SOFAM" company engine which is more economical and more powerful. Howitzer gun is changed to 155-mm gun used in TR towed howitzer. It has 39 caliber barrels length, which provides range of fire in 31 km.

Original F3 self-propelled howitzer modernisation works were made in Argentina, where M-50 howitzers were disasembled from the vehicles and rebuilt to the towed howitzers.