Each vessel is named after a bird of prey including the albatross, condor and cormorant.

Constructed by German shipbuilders Lürssen and Kröger, the vessels were intended to replace the Type 141 Seeadler class.

The Type 143s were constructed of composite hulls, designed by Lürssen, displacing 398 tonnes.

The craft were powered by four MTU 16V 956 TB91 diesels creating 17,700 horsepower (13.2 MW) driving four shafts.

The vessels were also armed with four MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles situated in two dual mounts aft but forward of the rear 76 mm gun.