[1] The ships were built by Hall, Russell & Company of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom and were commissioned into Royal Navy service between 1983 and 1985.

They were specifically built for service in Hong Kong with the 6th Patrol Craft Squadron; for work in tropical climates they were fully air conditioned and were capable of remaining at sea during typhoons.

They also worked with the Marine Department of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and with Customs & Excise to decrease the constant flow of illegal immigrants, narcotics and electronic equipment into the colony.

For these roles each vessel could carry two Avon Searider SR5M rigid-hulled inflatable boats and a small detachment of Royal Marines.

The two ships were decommissioned on 8 July 2022 [6] and are due to be replaced by ex-HMNZS Lake-class inshore patrol vessels, ex Rotoiti and Pukaki IPV in 2023.