Type 42 destroyer HMS Exeter has returned to Portsmouth after a high-profile deployment to the Far East.

The Portsmouth-based warship spent eight months away from the UK, undertaking defence diplomacy visits to ten countries, including China, Japan, Vietnam, Russia and Thailand.

One of the main objectives of the deployment was an exercise in the South China Sea involving more than 30 ships from the countries which make up the Five Powers Defence Arrangement – the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

The FPDA was instigated in 1971 to ensure a response in the event of an attack on either Malaysia or Singapore.

The two –week exercise, called Bersama Lima, tested all aspects of maritime warfare and a joint approach to air defence, and HMS Exeter commanded a 20-strong task group.

A similar exercise, Bersama Shield, was staged in May as the destroyer was on her way east.

Defence Industry Days, promoting British defence equipment manufacturers, were held on board the ship in Brunei and Bangkok.

The ship and her ship’s company of 266 often found themselves in the headlines, including the match between Exeter’s football team and the South Korean Navy side which was staged in the splendid World Cup stadium in Seoul to celebrate 120 years of football in the country – the game was introduced by British sailors on board HMS Flying Fish.

Sailors from HMS Exeter also carried out charity work in many ports of call, including painting and decorating orphanages in India, the Philippines and on the island of Penang.

Fund-raising activities in Vietnam enabled six children to have reconstructive surgery to correct cleft palates.

Cdr Andrew Reed, the destroyer’s Commanding Officer, said the deployment had been busy, varied and successful: “We have demonstrated the UK’s continuing commitment to the Far East region, supported the Five Powers Defence Arrangement with two major exercises and undertaken a high level of defence diplomacy.

“We also contributed to the UK’s wider security interests in the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific regions.”

Exeter, which is affiliated to her namesake city, visited Devonport Naval Base yesterday on her way back up the Channel to Portsmouth.