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-18. 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-18 was introduced in Update 2.45 "Hornet's Sting". Compared to the VTB-13, it has a 37mm bow gun and significantly more powerful 13.2mm machine guns instead of rifle-caliber ones. Its torpedo armament remained intact, providing valuable capability against larger targets. However, it suffered a reduction in speed compared to previous French boats, and its main armament may still seem insufficient compared to torpedo boats of other nations.