Launched as a series of five patrol vessels, the Peacock class were originally part of the Hong Kong Squadron of the Royal Navy.

As well as "flying the flag" and providing a constant British naval presence in the region, they could also undertake a number of different roles including seamanship, navigation and gunnery training.

In addition, they performed search-and-rescue duties for which they had facilities to carry divers (including a decompression chamber) and equipment to recover vessels and aircraft.

They also worked with the Marine Department of the Hong Kong Police and with Customs & Excise in order to prevent the constant flow of illegal immigrants, narcotics and electronic equipment into the Colony.

[3] The ships under this class are characterized by a low freeboard, an Oto Melara 76 mm gun turret located forward, a large single funnel stack amidships, and a crane and two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB) aft.

The Oto Melara 76 mm Compact DP (Dual Purpose) gun is the primary weapon and is mounted in a turret forward of the bridge.

The ships were modified soon after entering the Royal Navy service with deeper bilge keels to alleviate a propensity to roll during moderate and heavy seas.

It involved the installation of a new MSI Defence DS-25 Seahawk A1 AUTSIG mount with M242 Bushmaster 25mm naval gun, a new Fire Control System and Radamec's 1500 Series electro-optical tracking system (EOTS), Raytheon gyro compass, Sperry Marine Naval BridgeMaster E Series Surface Search Radar, GPS, anemometer, and EM logs.