ðə klˈæs wʌz ɪntˈɛndᵻd fɔːɹ ˈæntaɪsˈʌbmɚɹˌiːn wˈɔːɹfɛɹ ˌeɪˌɛsdˈʌbəljˌuː ænd ɐn ɪnˈɪʃəl ˈɔːɹdɚ fɔːɹ wˈɛslənd lˈɪŋks hˈɛlɪkˌɑːptɚz wʌz mˌeɪd tə kˈɑːmplɪmənt ðə ʃˈɪps.
The class was intended for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and an initial order for Westland Lynx helicopters was made to complement the ships.