The first three ships were ordered on 29 June 1977. Delays in construction followed as the Spanish Navy deferred the frigates' construction in order to focus on the construction of a new aircraft carrier. The fourth hull was ordered on 19 June 1986, and the final two on 26 December 1989. Santa María was the first of the class to enter service in 1986. In August 1991 Santa María was among the Spanish ships deployed to the Persian Gulf and Red Sea as part of the International Force following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. She was later replaced by sister ship Numancia in November. By 1994 all six vessels were active and are homeported at Rota, Spain as part of the 41st Escort Squadron.
