It was named after the admiral and politician Pavlos Kountouriotis, who was the commander of the Greek Fleet during the Balkan Wars, as well as serving twice as President of the Second Hellenic Republic.

She was constructed in Sestri Ponente, Italy, by Cantieri Odero, and commissioned by the Hellenic Navy in 1933.

During the German invasion of Greece, along with several other ships, she managed to flee to Alexandria.

Subsequently, she underwent repairs and modernization in Bombay from June 1941 to April 1942.

She returned to escort duties in the Mediterranean Sea, with the British pennant number H07, until November 15, 1943, when she was placed in active reserve.