CUS Arcira Hideki-class patrol craft The Hideki-class is a simple to produce, easy-to-build ship which packs a heavy punch for its size and intended for largely border patrol or system defence duties, keeping Cardassian space defended in order to free up the larger ships for offensive duties. The Armament is capable of dealing alone with pirate and mercenary type vessels that the Hideki might encounter on patrols. Also a "hunter pack" of 6 to 9 Hidekis could be a great danger for outnumbered and less maneuverable capital ships. The Hideki has been built in very large numbers, and several variations have been fielded. In service the Hideki has proved a solid, reliable design which is popular with its crews. In combat the type is well tested against lightly armed conversions of civilian ships common to pirates and other such bandits; the Hideki's major debut in a fleet action came when 34 of these ships fought with the Dominion fleet which captured Deep Space Nine. During this operation the Hideki-ships were very successful in hunting down and destroying the federation attack fighters before they could endanger the larger and less maneuverable Dominion cruisers.