The Griffin Cruiser was a common warship operated by the Romulan Star Empire during the first half of the 24th Century and saw widespread service, notably against the Klingons on several occasions where open hostilities broke out in the 2340's. The Griffin was built to be mass produced as a relatively cheap, easily built firepower platform to supplement the older vessels in their service.

The Griffin Cruiser has better shields and more balanced firepower than many of the ships of its era and fought valiantly, but time was a cruel mistress to the Griffin. The D'deridex Warbirds which had served as battleships during the late 2340's soon phased out the Griffin's original fleet role. This left the remaining Griffins being relegated to interior security patrols and off the front lines.