The design was developed based on lessons learned from the use of Ton-class minesweepers for patrol duties off Borneo during the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation.

[1] Initially, nine boats were ordered for the RAN, with another five for Papua New Guinea's Australian-run coastal security force.

[1][2] Propulsion machinery consisted of two 16-cylinder Paxman YJCM diesel engines, which supplied 3,460 shaft horsepower (2,580 kW) to the two propellers.

[3] Archer was built by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland,[4] launched on 2 December 1967[citation needed] and commissioned on 15 May 1968.

She was transferred to the Indonesian Navy and renamed Siliman,[5] and was listed in Jane's Fighting Ships as still operational in 2011.