These ships were designed to provide anti-aircraft escorts to convoys and amphibious groups and act as light destroyers on detached duties. They were not intended to operate with fleet carrier task forces which had speeds of over 28 knots and were escorted by destroyers and similar vessels, and therefore made only . They were envisioned in late World War II and immediately after as part of a 1945 project for anti-submarine, anti-aircraft, and Aircraft Direction frigates which would all share a common hull and propulsion, and the design of the Type 41 was completed by December 1947.