The visit comes towards the end of a six-month deployment to the Gulf and north-west Indian Ocean, which has seen the ship operate in support of UK interests in the region, and she has visited a large number of ports in the area. Prior to the deployment, HMS Cumberland was involved in an intensive period of training and work-up in the UK. The ship returns to her base port of Plymouth in mid-October for a well-earned period of rest and maintenance.

The ship’s commanding officer, Captain Russell Best OBE, said of the visit: “It is a great privilege for HMS Cumberland to be visiting Malta, at the end of a very enjoyable but extremely busy deployment. It is only a few years since our last visit, however, many of the ship’s company have never been here, and we are all looking forward to enjoying the sights and generous hospitality which Royal Navy ships always receive.”