Cardassian patrol cruiser was a type of patrol ship employed by the Cardassian Union during the 24th century. These vessels were primarily used for patrolling and policing the Demilitarized Zone. These vessels were identified as being much larger than Cardassian shuttles. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part I")
The Hideki-class was identified as both a "shuttle" and a "patrol ship", indicating that they were a smaller patrol variant.