During the occupation of France, the shipyard in Meulan-en-Yvelines received an order to build several German Räumboot R-301 boats. Eight of these boats were unfinished when the country was liberated in 1944. Four were cut up for scrap metal, two were completed as rescue boats, and the remaining two were finished in 1945 as torpedo boats, the VLT-1 and the VLT-2 (Vedette Lance Torpille, French for "motor torpedo boat"). The boats underwent extensive testing. Due to the USSR's desire for compensation for the Yakovlev Design Bureau engines installed on the boats, cheaper German Jumo 211 engines were later installed. In 1948, the boats were armed and underwent further testing. However, military was not impressed with the boats' effectiveness, and they were never put on combat duty. The VLT-1 became the prototype for a series of torpedo boats for Israel, and it was sold for scrap in 1957.

The VLT-1 was introduced in Update 2.39 "Dance of Dragons". Unlike the VLT-2, it lacks two 20 mm Oerlikons; however, its armament still distinguishes it from previous French boats and poses a significant threat to the enemy. The boat also boasts decent speed and maneuverability; however, its protection and survivability leave much to be desired.