The fleet that was sent by Suleiman was one of the largest in history. The fleet was commanded by Supreme naval commander Piyale Pasha. According to Giacomo Bosio (Historian of the Order) the fleet of Suleiman consisted of 193 vessels.

The spies of the grandmaster sent the news to Malta and the population and Knights started preparing for the defense. There was a huge difference in numbers between the defenders and attackers. Different writers on the Siege give different versions on the numbers.

The first intention was to anchor the fleet to the north of Malta and to initiate an attack on Mdina, but it was difficult for the Ottomans to land in the north. They instead anchored to the south at Marsaxlokk, landed and proceeded to attack Birgu. The closer to the battlefield the fleet could anchor the stronger and faster would the Turkish forces attack.

Having received extensive resistance, the Turkish commanders decided to gain control of a strategic position on the Xebb ir-Ras peninsula. To do this they needed to take control of fort St Elmo at the tip of the peninsula.The plan was also to remove the threat of St Elmo so that the fleet could set anchor in Marsamxett harbour.