Cochise-class destroyers were introduced in response to growing tensions with the Efrosians. This vessel has served Starfleet in the defense of the borders of the Federation, most notably along the Romulan Neutral Zone, the Klingon Neutral Zone and the Orion Barrier. All surviving ships of this class were refitted in 2274. Many ships of this class were destroyed during the Kelvan War of 2285. The Cochise-class (or Cochise-subtype), also known as the MK-VIIIB class, was a sub-type of the Saladin-class destroyers and were ordered for Starfleet appropriation on stardate 4699 (mid-2200s).