A variable displacement axial piston pump (20, 220, 420) comprising: a pump housing (24, 224, 424); a cylinder block (28, 228, 428) defining a plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432), the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) defining a central axis about which the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) are arranged, wherein the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) is supported for rotation relative to the pump housing (24, 224, 424) about the central axis; a plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442), each of the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) being received in a respective one of the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432); a swash plate (46, 246, 446) pivotally supported relative to the cylinder block (28, 228, 428), the swash plate (46, 246, 446) providing a piston-supporting surface (46A, 246A, 446A) along which the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) slide during operation of the pump (20, 220, 420); and a port block (54, 254, 454) defining first and second pumping ports (56, 256, 456) arranged in fluid communication with the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) such that, during operation of the pump when the swash plate (46, 246, 446) piston-supporting surface (46A, 246A, 446A) defines an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the central axis, one of the first and second pumping ports (56, 256, 456) is configured to supply fluid to the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) for pumping by the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) as the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) rotates, and the other of the first and second pumping ports (56, 256, 456) is configured to receive fluid pumped from the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) by the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) as the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) rotates, wherein the swash plate (46, 246, 446) partially defines at least one variable volume control chamber (86, 286, 486), and wherein the swash plate (46, 246, 446) is operable to tilt with respect to the port block (54, 254, 454) in response to a fluid pressure change in the at least one control chamber (86, 286, 486), characterized in that the at least one control chamber (86, 286, 486) is at least partially defined by a back surface of the swash plate (46, 246, 446) that is opposite the piston-supporting surface (46A, 246A, 446A). a pump housing (24, 224, 424); a cylinder block (28, 228, 428) defining a plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432), the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) defining a central axis about which the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) are arranged, wherein the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) is supported for rotation relative to the pump housing (24, 224, 424) about the central axis; a plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442), each of the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) being received in a respective one of the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432); a swash plate (46, 246, 446) pivotally supported relative to the cylinder block (28, 228, 428), the swash plate (46, 246, 446) providing a piston-supporting surface (46A, 246A, 446A) along which the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) slide during operation of the pump (20, 220, 420); and a port block (54, 254, 454) defining first and second pumping ports (56, 256, 456) arranged in fluid communication with the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) such that, during operation of the pump when the swash plate (46, 246, 446) piston-supporting surface (46A, 246A, 446A) defines an angle other than 90 degrees with respect to the central axis, one of the first and second pumping ports (56, 256, 456) is configured to supply fluid to the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) for pumping by the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) as the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) rotates, and the other of the first and second pumping ports (56, 256, 456) is configured to receive fluid pumped from the plurality of cylinder bores (32, 232, 432) by the plurality of pistons (42, 242, 442) as the cylinder block (28, 228, 428) rotates, wherein the swash plate (46, 246, 446) partially defines at least one variable volume control chamber (86, 286, 486), and wherein the swash plate (46, 246, 446) is operable to tilt with respect to the port block (54, 254, 454) in response to a fluid pressure change in the at least one control chamber (86, 286, 486), characterized in that the at least one control chamber (86, 286, 486) is at least partially defined by a back surface of the swash plate (46, 246, 446) that is opposite the piston-supporting surface (46A, 246A, 446A).