"Ariadne" was one of two "Leander"-class frigates ordered from Yarrow Shipbuilders as part of the 1967–68 construction programme for the Royal Navy, the last two ships of the class with the order announced on 29 July 1968. "Ariadne" was laid down at Yarrow's Scotstoun shipyard on 1 November 1969, and was launched on 10 September 1971 and completed on 10 February 1973, commissioning on 2 March 1973 at Devonport. She was the last of the "Leander" class to be completed. Like the rest of the "Leander" class, she was named after a figure of Greek mythology; Ariadne was Greek goddess of labyrinths and passions.