In a landmark development underscoring India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, the Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The change of command ceremony was conducted on 11 Feb 2026 at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, and was presided over by VAdm Curt A Renshaw, Commander, CMF / US NAVCENT / US Fifth Fleet. VAdm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), Indian Navy, and senior military leaders from other member nations were in attendance. Cmde Milind M Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, of the Indian Navy, formally took over as Commander CTF 154 from the outgoing Commander of the Italian Navy.
Established in May 2023, CTF 154 is dedicated to enhancing maritime security through multinational training programs across the Middle East and the wider region. CTF 154 is specifically oriented towards training and capacity building of member nations of CMF. Appointing an Indian Navy officer to head CTF 154 reflects the region's growing trust in India’s professional expertise, operational experience, and a role as a Preferred Security Partner among the 47 nations of the CMF.
The training focuses on five core aspects-Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development. The task force conducts regular Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) events, exercises like Compass Rose and Northern/Southern Readiness, and outreach to build partner nations’ operational capabilities against common threats such as illegal trafficking, piracy, and irregular migration. CTF 154 operates alongside CMF’s other task forces: CTF 150 (Maritime Security), CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy), CTF 152 (Maritime Security in Arabian Gulf) and CTF 153 (Maritime Security in Red Sea).
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multi-national naval partnership, which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes. CMF’s main focus areas are defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, encouraging regional cooperation, and promoting a safe maritime environment.
CMF counters violent extremism and terrorist networks in maritime areas of responsibility; works with regional and other partners to improve overall security and stability; helps strengthen regional nations’ maritime capabilities and, when requested, responds to environmental and humanitarian crises.
Commanded by a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, who also serves as Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. All three commands are co-located at U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Deputy commander is a UK Royal Navy Commodore. Other senior staff roles at CMF headquarters are filled from personnel from member nations, including Australia, France, Italy and Denmark.
Comprising of five task forces, CTF 150 (Gulf of Oman security and counter-terrorism), CTF 151 (counter piracy), CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf security and cooperation), CTF 153 (Red Sea/Gulf of Aden security and cooperation) and CTF 154 (maritime security training), the 47 member nations are Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Türkiye, UAE, United Kingdom, United States and Yemen.
Participation is purely voluntary with no nation made to carry out any duty that it is unwilling to conduct. The contribution from each country varies depending on its ability to contribute assets and the availability of those assets at any given time. The 47 nations that comprise CMF are not bound by either a political or military mandate. CMF is a flexible organization. Contributions can vary from the provision of a liaison officer at CMF HQ in Bahrain to the supply of warships or support vessels in task forces, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft based on land. We can also call on warships not explicitly assigned to CMF to give associated support, which is assistance they can offer if they have the time and capacity to do so whilst undertaking national tasking.
The Indian Navy’s assumption of command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in February 2026 marks a significant milestone, highlighting India's growing role as a key maritime security provider in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. This leadership role reinforces India’s commitment to collaborative security, enhancing capacity-building efforts, strengthening maritime domain awareness, and promoting a rules-based international order.
The main aspects of this significance are:
- As leader of CTF 154, a specialized training task force, the Indian Navy is responsible for training partner nations in maritime awareness, law enforcement, and search and rescue.
- This is the first time India has commanded this specific, important task force under the 47-nation CMF, reflecting high trust from international partners in India's naval capabilities.
- The command enhances India’s ability to counter non-state actors, including combating piracy, narcotics smuggling, and arms trafficking in the Middle East and wider region.
- It allows India to actively participate in global security operations while maintaining its independent foreign policy.
- This development aligns with India's maritime doctrine, which aims at regional dominance, to cover securing its interests in the region while contributing to regional stability.
The Indian Navy looks forward to a productive tenure, delivering high-impact training initiatives and reinforcing global maritime partnerships for peace, prosperity, and security.
The author, a strategic affairs analyst and former spokesperson, Defence Ministry and Indian Army, can be contacted at wordsword02@gmail.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/anil-bhat-70b94766/ and @ColAnilBhat8252, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPJKaZOcAt9K8fcDkb_onng
