The Rothesay-class was an improved version of the Whitby-class anti-submarine frigate, with nine Rothesays ordered in the 1954–55 shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy to supplement the six Whitbys.

Seacat was not yet ready, and Brighton was completed with a single L/60 40 mm Bofors mount aft as a temporary anti-aircraft armament.

[9] Brighton was laid down at Yarrows' Scotstoun, Glasgow shipyard on 23 July 1957, was launched on 31 October 1959 and was completed on 28 September 1961, commissioning with the pennant number F106.

[15] In June 1965, she sailed for the Far East, carrying out anti-infiltration patrols during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation as well as taking part in a joint exercise with the US Navy in the South China Sea, before returning to Britain on 15 December that year.

[16] In August 1966, she left British waters to take part in the Beira Patrol, operating off East Africa for almost four months, before diverting to Singapore in December that year.

[17] In January 1968, Brighton served as leader of the newly established NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT).