The design of the PZM was developed by Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG, a German company to meet the Chilean Navy's requirements under the Danubio IV project.

The contract for ASMAR to build the PZMs was signed on May 20, 2005, with Northrop Grumman, Sisdef (a consortium of BAE Systems and shipbuilder ASMAR) and Rohde & Schwarz participating as main subcontractors at a cost of US$54 million to be commissioned by 2012.

The vessels are operated by the Coast Guard Service of the Chilean Navy and they will conduct patrol missions in Chile's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The design of the Proyecto Patrulleros de Zona Marítima is being promoted by Chile as a common platform for South American navies through the Proyecto Patrullero de Alta Mar Regional (or Regional Offshore Patrol Ship) committee.

Colombia ordered three vessels[4] to be built at its COTECMAR shipyard in Cartagena, out of six planned until 2020.