The ships will be at Devonport for two weeks

The Mediterranean-based force is commanded by a commodore, or national equivalent, who comes from one of the eight participating nations.

The Italian ship Aliseo is the first ship to arrive at 0845 BST. The others will arrive throughout the day.

On 14 September, Rear Admiral Gino Bizzari, of the Italian Navy, will transfer command to Commodore Angus Somerville of the UK.

He will fly his flag in the Devon-based frigate, HMS Chatham.

'Foreign warships'

Mike Critchley, editor of "Warship World" magazine, said it was unusual for a Mediterranean squadron to come to the UK.

He said: "It's a significant annual event. It brings the largest group of foreign warships Plymouth will host."

The ships will be at Devonport for two weeks.

The last significant ceremony at the port was the Royal Marines "changing of the colours" in July.

It was their largest parade in Britain since World War II.

Nearly 300 of Britain's 6,000 commandos were on Plymouth Hoe from bases in Devon, Somerset, and Arbroath, in Scotland.

They were presented with new colours - regimental flags - by the commandos' Captain General, the Duke of Edinburgh.