The Defiant-Class ship occupies a unique position in the history of StarFleet ship development, for it was the first ship dedicated primarily to combat. The Defiant's low profile, compact design, ablative armor and Romulan cloaking make it ideal for patrol duties in heavily guarded enemy space and covert operations deep into Dominion space. The original prototype was equipped to pose a formidable threat to Borg ships. However, hostilities with the Borg ceased and the first prototype USS Defiant was assigned to DS9 in order to thwart any Jem'Hadar advances.