Built from 1936–1941 the class was designed as escort and neutral guard destroyers.

After World War II the destroyers, later rebuilt as frigates, continued to serve in the Swedish navy.

[2] After the war all destroyers except Göteborg which was in poor shape from the Hårsfjärden disaster received a refit where the center gun was moved to the X position on the aft deckhouse and the anti-aircraft armament (consisting of four modern Bofors 40 mm L/70 guns) was concentrated on a platform around the rear funnel.

In 1958–1963 three of the destroyers were rebuilt as frigates that included a change of armament.

The famous Swedish marine engineer Curt Borgenstam called the Göteborg class the most beautiful and well working destroyer class to have served in the Swedish navy.