Based on the results of the work of a special commission, the development of a new cruiser began in the Netherlands in 1930. It was planned for the ship to join the fleet in the East Indies in addition to two already available ones. The project was developed by a German-Dutch company and had design features of German ships of that time. The cruiser was named after M. A. de Ruyter, one of the most esteemed Dutch Admirals. The ship was launched in October 1936 and sent to the East Indies the next year, where she stayed until the outbreak of World War II. In 1942, De Ruyter was the flagship of the allied squadron commanded by Admiral Karel Doorman.