The Hideki class is one of the most important ships in the Cardassian fleet, if only due to their high numbers. The Cardassians have always sought to produce simple, easy-to-build ships which pack a heavy punch for their size and in the Hideki they have accomplished just that. Although these ships are generally compared - unfavourably - to the Klingon B'Rel class Bird of Prey, in some ways this is unfair. Cardassian policy emphasizes that these ships are 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 B'Rel, on the other hand, is intended to be a fully capable attack vessel in its own right, albeit a light one. While the Hideki is not as capable as the Klingon vessel, it is thought to take almost one third of the resources to build and run - and three Hidekis would certainly be a match for a single B'Rel class.

The Hideki is thought to have a long term cruise speed of Warp 5, about right for a ship which will not be expected to cover large distances unsupported. The Armament is capable of dealing with pirate and mercenary type vessels that the Hideki might encounter on patrols and is sufficient to allow the Hideki to act in support of major fleet actions or operate as a light scout unit - although the relatively low speed is a limiting factor in this role.

The Hideki has been built in very large numbers, and as is inevitable with a class this size several variations have been fielded. The Type 1 is the basic Hideki class described above; the Type 2 is four metres longer; it has extra fuel and a greater degree of aion to reduce the crew to 32, giving a higher accommodation standard and allowing this variant to undertake longer patrols. The Type 3 has a more advanced sensor suite than previous models and is equipped with a new model of warp core which increases efficiency. The Type 4 is a new model which has added high density armour and a third phaser bank, although this is accomplished at the cost of lower maximum speeds and reduced range.

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 thirty four of these ships fought with the Dominion fleet which captured Deep Space Nine. Against a modern heavily armed defence system the Hideki did not fare so well; fourteen of the ships were destroyed and nine heavily damaged. During the Dominion war the Hideki has not taken part in offensive actions, but is instead operating in its old border patrol mission. Although Klingon B'Rel class ships took something of a heavy toll on these ships in the early days of the war, the Hideki's have begun to operate in packs of three or more, sometimes with a Jem'Hadar fighter craft in attendance, since which time they are holding their own.