HMS "Afridi" was ordered from Armstrong Whitworth in September 1905, one of five Tribal-class destroyers ordered for the Royal Navy as part of the 1905–06 shipbuilding programme. Design of the ships was left to the builders, with the Admiralty only laying down loose requirements, although the builder's designs did need to be approved by the Director of Naval Construction before orders were placed. The destroyers were required to reach , and have a range of at cruising speed and an endurance of eight hours at full speed. The ships were required to be powered by steam turbines, with cruising turbines fitted to improve range, fed by oil-fired boilers. Freeboard was to be at least at the ship's bow. Armament was two be three 12-pounder (3-inch, 76 mm) guns, with the older 12 cwt gun chosen to save money, and two 18 in (450 mm) torpedo tubes. It was realised during construction that the armament of the Tribals was too light, with the two ships ordered as part of the 1906–07 programme being armed with two 4-inch (102 mm) guns. In October 1908, it was decided to strengthen the armament of the first five Tribals, including "Afridi", by adding another two 12-pounder guns. This was done to "Afridi" prior to acceptance by the Royal Navy.