The first cruiser hull the Circasians developed and produced in any quantity, the Kolanis Cruiser is a poor attempt to project firepower on a capital ship hull. The Kolanis Cruiser was built for long range probing missions, a necessity during the early days of the Circasian Empire before extensive jump networks were formed. The Kolanis was able to carry enough supplies and spare parts to supply three frigates on attack sorties into other systems. Kolanis cruisers were often converted into other roles as needed. Commonly Kolanis cruisers not destined for long range patrol missions would convert their cargo space into two six-fighter hangar bays, allowing the ship to field a squadron of fighters. The Kolanis also made an acceptable ad hoc assault ship, converting its cargo hold into troop quarters for half a division of troops. During the Chouka War, the Kolanis Cruisers served well as combat units and front-line logistics vessels, but the ratio of combat ability to cost was staggeringly high, too high for the still small Circasian Empire.

Following the war, military support for more cruisers cooled with attrition becoming the name of the game. As Moshesta production increased, production on Kolanis hulls almost ceased. The remaining Kolanis hulls were considered for a weapons upgrade two years after medium plasma cannon technology was first successfully demonstrated on the Moshesta frigate, however the War Council ultimately resolved that it would be too costly for too little return. The Kolanis was not an easy hull to modify and in many ways had already been replaced by the more popular Thrace Jump Cruiser.

The ak-Tai War was the final nail it the Kolanis Cruiser's coffin. The Kolanis simply couldn't take the damage that other cruisers its size could, and it was hopelessly outgunned compared to modern combat units. The Kolanis was no match for the ak-Tai Thor-usali Heavy Cruisers, let alone the array of lighter ships the ak-Tai and their allies fielded. Casualties were high, and with each cruiser that exploded in flames more valuable, skilled personnel paid the ultimate price for the Empire.

Following the war, all Kolanis Cruisers remaining in service (about ten of them) were mothballed at the Circasian lunar facility of Hathdam. They would later be reborn as the Koric Mine Cruiser.