HMS Beaver was one of 10 Type 22 missile frigate of the Broadsword Class ordered by the Royal Navy. The ship was laid down at the Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Scotstoun, on 20 June 1980 and finally commissioned on 13 December 1984. Originally 22 ships of the class were planned to be built, but after the Falklands War, it was decided 10 was enough.