Originally designated Mystère XXII, the aircraft was developed in response to a French Air Force requirement for a light, jet-powered fighter-bomber. At around the same time, a NATO requirement was circulated, also calling for a light strike-fighter, and Dassault developed a very similar aircraft in parallel for that competition (the Etendard VI).
The sole prototype of the Etendard II flew on July 23, 1956 but proved to be somewhat underpowered and showed nothing like the promise of the Mirage series and was quickly abandoned.
A further development of the Etendard concept, the Etendard IV was successfully developed for French Navy service.
Dassault prepared a basic design to meet both requirements, and, being of the opinion that the officially-backed specifications would result in underpowered aircraft, evolved a third version of the design as a private venture.
The three versions of the aircraft were designated Etendard (Standard) II, IV and VI, and the first to commence its flight test programme was the EtendardII.
Competing with the Breguet 1100, the EtendardII was powered by two 940kg Turbomeca Gabizo turbojets and proposed armament included two 30mm cannon which were to be installed as a pack interchangeable with one containing 32 Matra 105 68mm rockets.
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