Its design emphasizes low visibility radar cross-section and infrared signature, and the class has received widespread international attention because of its capabilities as a stealth ship.

The Visby ships are designed by Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and built by Saab Kockums AB in Karlskrona.

The hull is constructed with a sandwich design consisting of a PVC core with a carbon fibre and vinyl laminate[4] (see also the Oceanic-Creations spin-off).

The class was originally designed to be divided into two subcategories where the last ship was optimized for surface combat and 4 others for submarine hunting; however, this was changed due to cutbacks.

On 22 March 2012 FMV reported that the ship had been modified and that the system would be tested before reentering the Swedish Navy by the end of 2012.

[8] In January 2021 Saab and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) signed a contract for the mid-life upgrade of the five Visby corvettes.

[12][13][14] In January 2021 FMV and SAAB also signed an agreement for the product definition phase of the Visby Generation 2 corvettes.

Further recommendations included modifications to the ships to increase their interoperability with both NATO's standing maritime groups and the Joint Expeditionary Force.

The changing needs of the Swedish Navy as well as concerns about potential delays that could arise from modifying the Visby-class design were the main reasons given for the cancellation.