Eighteen ships were built, with two being sold to Argentina and commonly referred to as the Cervantes class.

Some of the later ships of the class were completed without the central gun due to an arms embargo during the Spanish Civil War.

However, a financial delay prevented this once the project was refinanced the first group was based on the British Admiralty type flotilla leader (Scott class) design.

[1] The Churruca class were propelled by two shafts driven by Parsons geared turbines powered by steam provided by four Yarrow boilers.

The engines were rated at 42,000 shaft horsepower (31,319 kW) and the destroyers had a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph).

They were also equipped with six 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes in two triple mounts and two depth charge throwers.

The engines were rerated at 31,500 shp (23,490 kW) and the ships had a maximum speed of 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph), with fuel oil capacity of 370 tonnes (364 long tons).

Their armament was completely made over, with three single 76 mm/50 calibre guns, three 40 mm/70 calibre SP48 anti-aircraft guns, two side-launching racks for six anti-submarine (ASW) torpedoes, two Hedgehog ASW mortars, eight depth charge throwers and two depth charge racks.

However, due to financial constraints, their construction was put off and when financing was approved for the new destroyers in 1922, a newer design was chosen.

[1] On the eve of the rebellion in the Spanish protectorate in Morocco, the active Churruca-class destroyers were ordered into the Gibraltar Strait to prevent any rebels from crossing to Spain.

Ciscar was sunk by aircraft in Gijon harbour, refloated by the rebels, and used by them in the final phases of the war.

[9] Sánchez Barcaiztegui was bombed and sunk in shallow water at Cartagena in March 1939, but later raised and returned to service following the war.

José Luis Díez was severely damaged in an encounter with Canarias and was beached in Catalan Bay.

Spain remained neutral during World War II Ciscar ran aground in fog off El Ferrol in October 1957.

[7] Cervantes was severely damaged by Gloster Meteor fighters loyal to Juan Domingo Perón while evacuating personnel from the rebel naval base of Río Santiago during the 1955 Revolución Libertadora.