The Indian Navy is scheduled to hand over command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, on October 14, marking the completion of its first-ever command of a task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
CTF 154 is the CMF’s dedicated multinational maritime training task force. It focuses on professional training and capacity building to strengthen interoperability and operational readiness among the 47 nations associated with the maritime partnership.
India joined the Combined Maritime Forces as an associate partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. The Indian Navy assumed command of CTF 154 on February 11, 2026, marking its first leadership role in a CMF task force.
During its tenure, the Indian Navy led a series of multinational training activities under the CMF’s Maritime Domain Enhancement Training framework. These included 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements, Operation Compass Rose 26-1, Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 and the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery, known as SPAR 2026.
The activities collectively generated more than 7,800 training hours, with personnel from 39 countries participating in CTF 154 programmes.
The training covered a range of maritime security subjects and was conducted through virtual, hybrid and in-person engagements. It drew expertise from the Indian Navy, CMF task forces, partner nations, regional maritime agencies and specialist international organisations.
The Indian Navy’s tenure also expanded professional engagement with operational task forces, regional partners and specialist institutions, supporting multinational training and future capacity-building initiatives.
The handover marks another milestone in India’s engagement with the Combined Maritime Forces and highlights its contribution to collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. The tenure has further reinforced the Indian Navy’s role as a security and training partner in the region.
