The Desta Kar Destroyer is an advanced Klingon design, and the first such design to employ the cloaking device acquired from the Romulans. The Desta Kar is one of the sturdiest of the Klingon destroyer designs and set a new standard for future Klingon new construction and armoring refits. Shield output on the Desta Kar was sacrificed for the inclusion of the power intensive cloaking device, but the ability to surprise enemy units in the field who had previously never faced Klingon vessels with cloaking technology made it more than worth the trade-offs involved.

The Desta Kar is in many way the precursor to the K'Vort Bird of Prey, as the design tested many of the engineering principals later used in the K'Vort Bird of Prey. Desta Kar Destroyers continue to serve into modern times, though none are in the service of the Klingon Defense Forces. Instead they can be found in the house fleets of several important families. Vessels such as the Desta Kar serve as adequate couriers and warships for those that cannot spare (or cannot afford) newer warships.