Based on the Soviet Koni-class anti-submarine warfare frigate hull, the Yugoslav Kotor class was designed and built with a modified superstructure and forward positioning of its SS-N-2 anti-ship missiles.

Construction of P-33 was completed on 29 December 1986 for the Yugoslav Navy at Kraljevica Shipyard and sailed to her first port of Lora naval base in Split.

Commissioned as Veliki Patrolni Brod (large patrol boat) VPBR-33 Kotor, she was registered in the Yugoslav Navy fleet list on the same day.

[2][3] As of September 2019 both ships are operational in an offshore patrol vessel role with the Montenegrin Navy at naval base Bar.

In 2009, P-34 participated in two joint offshore exercises hosted by Montenegro, inviting ships from the United States and France, and in 2010 with vessels from Germany and the Turkey.

The main drive represents diesel engines and are used most of the time, while the gas turbine was designed to provide additional speed during the performance of combat tasks.