In summer 1951, work on an AMX-50 version armed with a powerful 120mm cannon began with an order for 10 pre-production vehicles to be built by the DEFA (France’s weapons design bureau). The purpose of the vehicle was to provide the armies of the western allies with an alternative to the new American M103 and British Conqueror heavy tanks. The aim was to create a tank with equal firepower to that of the American and British counterpart, but at the same time provide it on a cheaper, lighter and more mobile platform. Most importantly for the new vehicle however, was the ability to effectively combat new Soviet heavily armoured tanks, such as the IS-3 and T-10. This would be ensured by the installation of the American 120mm T53 cannon. To fit the new cannon and its accompanied autoloader onto the AMX-50 chassis, a new oscillating turret was installed. It was much larger, higher in profile and heavier than the previous one. Armour on the hull was also increased to 90mm, leading to the vehicle’s weight being increased to 59.2 tonnes. In 1955, the new AMX-50 Surblindé (uparmoured) received a lower turret and a different hull, resembling that of the IS-3, in hopes of increasing protection. Instead, the weight was further increased to 64 tonnes, which subsequently raised mechanical issues caused by insufficient engine power and weak suspension during testing.

This led to the reconsideration of the entire design, and in 1958, resulted in the AMX-50 Surbaissé (lowered). This final version of the AMX-50 design incorporated a lower cast hull and a higher but lighter turret. Whilst the weight was cut down to 57.8 tonnes, the vehicle finally received its heavy tank designation. However, as the engine issues, which plagued the series from the beginning, still remained due to the high weight, the decision was made to abandon the project in 1959 in favor of the new joint “Europanzer” project, which would later result in the French AMX-30 and German Leopard I tanks. In total, only 6 prototypes of the AMX-50 series were built, across all of its development stages. Despite being seen as a failed project, the AMX-50, incidentally similar to the ARL-44 which it tried to replace, served only as a valuable experimental “playground” for French engineers to gather experience on. The new experience would certainly be put to good use during the development of the Europanzer, and later on, the AMX-30. Only one AMX-50 survives today, namely the final prototype (AMX-50 Surbaissé) in the French tank museum in Saumur.