La Combattante was ordered from Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie (CMN), Cherbourg, on 5 December 1961.

La Combattante was built of laminated wood and plastic, in order to have a small magnetic signature.

In the late 60's La Combattante was used as the launch vehicle for trials of the Aérospatiale's Exocet missile.

Following the success of these, and the adoption of the Exocet by the French Navy, La Combattante was equipped with four SS11 launchers.

In January 1985 La Combattante was transferred to the Maritime Gendarmerie, the French coastguard service; her missile launchers were removed, though she kept her gun armament.