Planning to strengthen its fleet, the Swedish government began negotiations with the United States on the acquisition of several "flush-deck" destroyers. The purchase never took place, but their design formed the basis of the Ehrensköld-class destroyers laid down in 1924. Further development in 1929 resulted in two ships of an improved design being laid down—Klas Horn and Klas Uggla. The lead ship of the Klas Horn series was built at the Kockums shipyard in Malmö. In September 1941, due to an explosion at a military base, both destroyers suffered significant damage and sank. Klas Uggla was not restored and was decommissioned, while Klas Horn was raised and repaired using parts from her sister ship.