Developed from an Italian design, the ship was capable of a wide range of roles, with depth charges to defeat submarines, torpedo tubes to attack ships and anti-aircraft guns for aerial defence, as well as mine laying capability.

After serving during World War II, the ship was updated with greater anti-submarine capability and reclassified a frigate in 1953.

190 tonnes (190 long tons) of fuel was carried to give a range of 1,260 nautical miles (2,330 km; 1,450 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

[3] The vessel was launched on 11 April 1942, delivered to the Navy on 8 October the same year and commissioned on 12 November, serving with the Coastal Fleet through World War II.

[citation needed] In 1947 Mode accompanied Gotland and Munin on a trip to France and Britain.

Instead a single Squid depth charge launcher was fitted to improve anti-submarine capabilities and the 40 mm (1.6 in) guns were upgraded to provide greater anti-aircraft protection.