When the Bajorans were first liberated from Cardassian control, the Bajoran provisional government set about constructing a fleet to defend Bajor should the Cardassians return. They found themselves short of both the yards necessary to build warships and the technology to design a true Bajoran warship hull. However, the Cardassians had left facilities to build Kelrun class freighters and the Bajorans quickly adapted the design (with some Federation assistance) as an auxiliary warship.

Able to support a flight of impulse fighters and mounting a medium phaser on its bow, the Independance class auxiliary cruiser became a common sight in Bajoran space, either patrolling the system or escorting convoys of Trolac and Kelrun class freighters. As the ships look identical to long range scans, Independence cruisers often gave raiders an unfortunate surprise when they attempted to raid Bajoran shipping.