The Republic of Malta is a densely populated developed European micro-state in the European Union. The island nation comprises an archipelago of seven islands situated in the Southern European areas of the Mediterranean sea, 93 km off the coast of Sicily (Italy), 288 km east of Tunisia and 300 km north of Libya. INS Sindhuvijay visited Malta from the 18th to 22nd September 2008. The photographer of these images, Anthony Vella states, "It was a impressive sight to see such a large submarine back to our harbour after so many years." INS Sindhuvijay was on her way home to India, after completing a two-year mid-life refit at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard in Severodvinsk, Russia.

Images © Anthony Vella