These frigates were designated the Mk 10 by Vosper Thornycroft and are the largest of a series of ships built by that shipyard for both foreign buyers and the Royal Navy.

The projected completion was 2001, but due to lack of funds and sea trials to verify the new software, the entire program had been slipped to 2005.

The remaining two ASW ships were built at the Arsenal da Marinha in Rio de Janeiro with assistance from VT.

The ASW ships had an Ikara missile launcher in Y position aft of the flight deck.

From 2025, the class will be gradualy replaced in "first-rank" roles by the newest Tamandaré-class frigates, the survivors will be revitalized and transferred to patrol duties in the fleet.