The Indian Navy has successfully concluded its maiden command of the Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), marking a significant milestone in India’s growing contribution to multinational maritime security and capacity-building initiatives.
The command was formally handed over during a ceremony held in Manama, Bahrain, bringing to a close an eight-month tenure that showcased India’s leadership in advancing maritime cooperation, interoperability and professional training among partner nations.
CTF 154 is CMF’s dedicated multinational training and capacity-building task force, responsible for strengthening operational readiness and professional competence across the 47-member CMF partnership. India, which joined CMF as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023, assumed command of the task force on February 11, 2026, becoming the first Indian command to lead a CMF task force.
During its tenure, the Indian Navy spearheaded an extensive programme of multinational maritime training under CMF’s Maritime Domain Enhancement Training framework.
The task force conducted 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements, the multinational exercises Operation Compass Rose 26-1 and Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, as well as the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR 2026).
Together, these initiatives generated more than 7,800 training hours and brought together maritime professionals from 39 countries, underscoring the broad international participation achieved under Indian leadership.
The training programme combined virtual, hybrid and in-person engagements covering a wide spectrum of maritime security subjects.
It drew on expertise from the Indian Navy, CMF task forces, partner nations, regional maritime agencies and specialised international organisations, helping strengthen collective maritime capabilities and professional exchanges across the region.
The Indian-led tenure also expanded CTF 154’s engagement with operational task forces, regional partners and specialist institutions, laying the groundwork for enhanced future cooperation in maritime security training and capacity building.
Established in May 2023, CTF 154 is dedicated to enhancing maritime security through multinational training programmes focused on five core pillars: Maritime Domain Awareness, Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development.
The task force regularly conducts Maritime Security Enhancement Training activities and exercises aimed at improving partner nations’ ability to address common maritime threats, including piracy, illegal trafficking and irregular migration.
CTF 154 operates alongside CMF’s other task forces, namely CTF 150 (Maritime Security), CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy), CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf Maritime Security) and CTF 153 (Red Sea Maritime Security).
The successful completion of India’s first command of CTF 154 reflects the confidence placed by the international maritime community in the Indian Navy’s professional expertise, operational experience and leadership capabilities.
The tenure has further reinforced India’s standing as a preferred security and training partner in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, while highlighting its commitment to collaborative maritime security and rules-based maritime governance.
