In 1934, a set of requirements was issued to both Heinkel and Junkers to develop a new twin engine aircraft, capable of acting as both a high-speed civilian airliner as well as a medium bomber for the German Luftwaffe. While Heinkel would go on to develop the far more successful He 111, Junkers developed the Ju 86, the first test flights of which occurred already in late 1934 and extending in early 1935.

Early production of the type commenced in late 1935 for military versions, while civilian variants entered service in 1936. Despite being seen as inferior to the He 111, especially in military service, the Ju 86 nonetheless remained a relatively popular aircraft on the export market, being purchased by various operators from around the globe, ranging from South America, over Europe and going all the way to Asia and Oceania.

Among its many operators was also Sweden, which not only purchased a number of Ju 86s directly from Junkers, but also acquired a licence to manufacture the type domestically in the late 1930s. Both imported and built under licence by the SAAB company, the aircraft received its new designation B3, and unlike the German original, the Swedish counterpart received different engines (namely licence-built versions of the Bristol Pegasus radial engines) as well as Swedish weaponry.

As with other countries, Sweden employed their Ju 86s in both military as well as civilian roles for many years before, during and after WWII, with the last of the Ju 86s being decommissioned during the late 1950s. In total, only about 15 B3C and one B3D were built for the Swedish Air Force by SAAB between 1939 - 1940 out of the original 40 aircraft planned.