The five ships of the "London" class were ordered in 1898 in response to increased naval construction for the Russian Navy. The design for the "London" class was prepared in 1898; it was a virtual repeat of the preceding , though with significant revision to the forward armour protection scheme. Rather than a traditional transverse bulkhead for the forward end of the main belt armour, the belt was carried further forward and gradually tapered in thickness. Deck armour was also strengthened.