The forward hull was customized to suit Norwegian sea conditions better (higher freeboard) and several sub-systems were European built.

The construction of the vessels was part of the Navy rebuilding program, approved by the Norwegian government in 1960.

In the late 1970s, the class received new armament, most notably Penguin, RIM-7 Sea Sparrow and Mark 32 torpedo launchers.

During 1995 and 1996, after HNoMS Oslo experienced an engine failure, and subsequently sank after sailing in heavy weather, the rest of the class was once again modernized.

On 5 June 2013, she was severely damaged in a test of the Norwegian-designed Naval Strike Missile system off the coast of the island of Andøya.

[5] Narvik, the last active ship of the class, has been transferred to the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum in Horten.