A growth version of the successful SA.330 Puma, the Super Puma first flew in September 1977. Fitted with twin 1330kW Turbomeca Makila 1A1 turbine engines, composite rotor blades, improved landing gear and modified tail fin, the Super Puma has been made in both short and long fuselage versions. There are four variants of the Super Puma; AS332L1 civil version, AS332B1 standard military troop transport, AS332M1 stretched military transport and the AS332F1 naval version capable of operating in the ASV/ASW/SAR role.

These changes included a new energy-absorbing landing gear with increased wheel base and track, a lengthened nose section, more efficient fiberglass main and tail rotors, greater fuel capacity, and revised fin and tail plane contours to improve handling. Subsequently in 1980 a fourth prototype introduced a cabin stretch of 0.76m with two additional windows and accommodation for up to three more passengers.

There are currently five main versions of the Super Puma, based on short and long fuselage variants. The AS.332B is the standard military version, which to date has been supplied to Abu Dhabi, Argentina, Chile and Spain, whilst the AS.332F is a naval variant armed with two Exocet missiles for antishipping duties. The civil equivalent of these two short fuselage variants is the AS.332C. The two stretched variants are the AS.332M military transport and the AS.332L civil version. The latter has become popular with offshore support operators, particularly in the North Sea where six major operators had the type in service at the beginning of 1984. This included 34 aircraft with Bristow Helicopters, redesignated Tigers to signify equipment differences from the standard AS.332L.

Orders for 150 Super Pumas had been received by late 1983, including license-built aircraft being assembled by Nurtanio of Indonesia.