Labeled "aviso-escorteur" (fr: "sloop-escort"), they were designed to perform the role of overseas patrol in peacetime and anti-submarine escort in wartime.

[4] A quadruple 305 mm (12 in) anti-submarine mortar was fitted in 'B' position, aft of the forward gun and in front of the ship's superstructure,[1] capable of firing a 230 kg (510 lb) depth charge to 3,000 m (9,800 ft) or in the shore bombardment role, a 100 kg (220 lb) projectile to 6,000 m (20,000 ft).

[6] While the previous French frigates of the Le Corse and Le Normand classes were powered by steam turbines,[7] because a long-range was required for the overseas colonial role of the ships, the class was instead fitted with a 16,000-brake-horsepower (12,000 kW) two-shaft diesel powerplant, capable of propelling the ship at a speed of 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph), although 26.6 knots (49.3 km/h; 30.6 mph) was reached during trials.

The CODAG arrangement took up less space, allowing 100 tons more fuel to be carried and giving a range of 13,000 nautical miles (24,000 km; 15,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).

The exception was the CODAG powered Balny, which although launched in 1962 and completed in 1964, did not commission until 1970, being employed as a trials ship in the meantime.