The Romulans were eager to acquire warp capable ships as they began to receive Klingon technology. The aged D6 Cruiser class was initially all the Klingons were willing to sell them, which led to the Romulans creating this ship, which, while weakly armed and shielded, was still better than their warbirds. The Romulans purchased dozens of these hulls, which formed the core of their new starfleet.