The ships were equipped with reciprocating engines, which were rated at 4,700 ihp (3,500 kW) and produced a top speed of 16 kn (30 km/h).

[1][2] The main armament of the ships was a 10 in (25 cm) twin turret gun.

[1][2] Svea and Göta were both laid down at the Lindholmen in Gothenburg and launched on 12 December 1886 and 30 September 1891, respectively.

Thule was laid down at the Finnboda Yard in Nacka and launched in 1893.

[1][2] All the main battery turrets of the Svea-class ships were installed at Ellenabbsfortet, located at Aspö, a small island near Karlskrona harbour.