This study compares Sweden's and Denmark's construction of their mine countermeasures vessels during the 1980s and 1990s. The study uses the rational actor model developed by Allison & Zelikow. The contribution of the study is an explanation of how small states construct their ships in different ways even though they intend to solve the same task within the same geographical location. The analysis shows that Sweden's decision to construct dedicated mine-clearing vessels was a rational decision, while Denmark's design with multifunctional platforms was based on economic conditions. By using the study's conclusions, a future design of different ship classes can evaluate the different advantages and disadvantages that arose in these cases and apply them to a future development of military systems.