The Finnish Navy ordered the lead ship Hämeenmaa as a replacement for the venerable minelayer Keihässalmi, while the second ship brought the number of Finnish Navy minelayers to three, complementing the sligtly larger Pohjanmaa.

In early 1992 Hollming and Rauma Yards merged their shipbuilding industry to form a new company called Finnyards.

The purpose of the modernization was to firstly upgrade the ships' equipment to fit modern standards, and secondly, to enable the ships to participate in international operations, mainly European Security and Defence Policy operations.

In October 2013, Hämeenmaa changed its homeport from Pansio to Upinniemi to replace the decommissioned Pohjanmaa.

Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa conducted sea trials on their new systems until the end of 2008, when operational readiness was achieved.