Between 1957-1958 the French engineer Charles Marchetti, who was at the head of the group who developed the Alouette II, along with his technicians worked on a new project to develop a larger, wider and more powerful helicopter. He then proposed to the newly founded Sud Aviation his idea and after obtaining formal approval and the necessary credits, the group immediately commenced to build two prototypes. The new helicopter was christened Alouette III (the French equivalent of Lark).

SA.316A, SA.316B, SA.316C