The Vakbeor-class cargo frigate, alternatively called the Resistance Cargo Frigate, represented a unique cargo frigate design, with Kuat Drive Yards as its manufacturer. The Resistance navy employed these frigates throughout their conflict against the First Order.
The design philosophy of the Vakbeor-class centered around integrating rudimentary anti-pirate defensive capabilities with a substantial cargo-carrying capacity. Its limited weaponry consisted of four laser cannons, complemented by two tractor beam projectors.
Following the financial collapse of Gallofree Yards, Inc., the Galactic Empire orchestrated Kuat Drive Yards' acquisition of the company. KDY then merged existing Gallofree designs with aspects of their own Nebulon frigate series, resulting in the Vakbeor-class. This novel design performed poorly within the galactic starship market, leading to many being sold off on the secondary market. Despite being initially conceived as a freighter for anti-piracy operations, it gained traction among pirate groups.
One such vessel, the Vigil, served pirate factions until its capture by the Resistance, a New Republic-backed paramilitary organization, in a battle near the Chasidron Shoals. The Vigil played a role in the evacuation of D'Qar and was later destroyed during the Battle of Oetchi by concentrated fire from First Order warships.
During the mission to Batuu, a number of Vakbeor-class cargo frigates were part of a fleet that engaged First Order Star Destroyers in orbit above Batuu during a major space engagement. One cargo frigate executed a broadside attack on a Star Destroyer from which Resistance recruits were attempting to escape, but was quickly obliterated by a barrage of laser fire coming from the Star Destroyer.
In 35 ABY, Lando Calrissian assembled a fleet that included Vakbeor-class cargo frigates to aid the Resistance during the battle against the Sith Eternal forces above the planet Exegol.
The Vakbeor-class cargo frigate makes an appearance in the 2017 Star Wars saga installment, Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi. According to Jason Fry, the ship's class designation was inspired by the micro-animal known as the Tardigrade, or vac-bear, a creature his son became fond of in his childhood.