In 1937, the Spanish Civil War was ongoing and the Republican side needed torpedo boats. France volunteered to meet this need, having launched a large-scale torpedo boat construction program that same year. All of the boats were to be built at British shipyards. However, the war ended with the Republicans' defeat, and France was left with the unfinished boats. These boats were incorporated into France’s 1937 program and designated VTB-15 through VTB-22, including VTB-19. Production initially proceeded according to plan, but it had to be halted in December 1939 due to material shortages at the shipyards. Following France’s capitulation in 1940, Germany seized the unfinished vessels, completed them, and commissioned them into service with the Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe. After World War II, some of the boats were returned to the French Navy and served briefly.

The VTB-19 was introduced in Update 2.39 "Dance of Dragons". Compared to the VTB-18, the 37 mm gun was replaced with a significantly faster-firing and more powerful 20 mm autocannon. Otherwise, the boat remained unchanged; it retained its torpedo armament and its speed remained lower than that of earlier French boats.