The need for locally built 'all-rounder' vessels at the start of World War II saw the "Australian Minesweepers" (designated as such to hide their anti-submarine capability, but popularly referred to as "corvettes") approved in September 1939, with 60 constructed during the course of the war: 36 (including Dubbo) ordered by the RAN, 20 ordered by the British Admiralty but manned and commissioned as RAN vessels, and 4 for the Royal Indian Navy.
The need for locally manufactured 'general-purpose' ships at the onset of World War II led to the approval of "Australian Minesweepers" (designated to conceal their anti-submarine capabilities, but commonly referred to as "corvettes") in September 1939, with a total of 60 vessels constructed during the war: 36 (including Dubbo) ordered by the RAN, 20 ordered by the British Admiralty but manned and commissioned as RAN ships, and 4 for the Royal Indian Navy.