All three vessels were named after famous Danish admirals, with the debatable exception of Peter Tordenskjold, a Norwegian-born officer who served during the personal union of Norway and Denmark from 1415 to 1814.

[3][4] During the mid-life refit, the corvettes were modified to be able to use the StanFlex modular mission payload system; two module slots were installed aft of the superstructure.

[5] The corvettes played an active role in solving a wide spectrum of duties, including escort and protection of other vessels.

They were built to the requirements of the Cold War era, notably the need for guarding and convoy duty in the strategically important Danish Belts.

Also among the various tasks for the corvettes were coast guard duties in Danish national waters, as well as intelligence gathering.